1 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers described versatile Stuart Armstrong as “the blonde Cafu” after his man-of-the-match performance mostly from right-back in the 3-0 win over Inverness.

The midfielder moved back into defence in the 13th minute of the Premiership encounter when Sweden international Mikael Lustig limped off with an ankle injury and he adapted without fuss.

Goals from Scott Sinclair, striker Leigh Griffiths and substitute Tom Rogic gave the home side a comfortable win over the visitors who ended the match with 10 men after midfielder Greg Tansey picked up two yellow cards.

Rodgers revealed that Lustig and skipper Scott Brown, who came off just after the hour mark with a numb foot, are doubts for Sweden and Scotland’s respective international fixtures.

When asked about the contribution of former Dundee United midfielder Armstrong, he mentioned the famous former Brazil full-back who starred for Roma and AC Milan, among others.

“The Blonde Cafu,” he said. “He was up and down that wing, wasn’t he?

“The boy did brilliantly to adapt the position. He has played a central role for me and I see him developing and progressing his game day in and day out and he is now looking the part.

“He is a clever boy, he knows the role and obviously a couple of adaptations at half-time to allow us to open up the sides a wee bit more on the inside and his only disappointment is that he never scored, he had enough chances.

“But I thought he was brilliant.”

When asked to compare him with James Milner, whom Rodgers bossed at Liverpool, the Northern Irishman said: “James is someone I brought him in to be a midfielder but I knew he could play a couple of positions, he has played everywhere, all over the pitch.

“Just a total footballer and I though Stuart showed that today, he has that ability. Sometimes going into that position can frighten a player, they can say I am not really sure.

“Firstly, he defended very well but his ability to get forward with his energy was outstanding.”

