---
title: "Saints fans react as Stuart Armstrong sits out Scotland’s play-off triumph"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2020/11/13/saints-fans-surprised-stuart-armstrong-scotland-snub/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2020-11-13T12:00:36Z"
modified: "2020-11-13T12:00:36Z"
---

# Saints fans react as Stuart Armstrong sits out Scotland’s play-off triumph

[Stuart Armstrong](https://readsouthampton.com/2020/09/10/stuart-armstrong-to-miss-crystal-palace-clash-issue-to-injury/) is currently away on international duty with Scotland.

However, the Saints star didn’t feature in their memorable [play-off win](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54819938) over Serbia on Thursday, much to the bemusement of Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier.

The 28-year-old, who has [21](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/stuart-armstrong/nationalmannschaft/spieler/130765) international caps to his name, was named as a substitute under Steve Clarke but [was not brought on](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54819938) in Belgrade.

Luka Jovic’s late header forced the tie into extra time, with David Marshall becoming Scotland’s hero in the penalty shootout by saving Aleksandar Mitrovic spot-kick.

Le Tissier tweeted just 15 minutes into Scotland’s playoff, baffled by how Armstrong doesn’t get into Clarke’s starting line-up.

> Twitter: How does Stuart Armstrong not get in this Scotland team ![🤔](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/svg/1f914.svg) (@mattletiss7)

It didn’t take long for several supporters of both Scotland and Southampton to reply to the 52-year-old’s post.

> Twitter: @mattletiss7 Steve Clarke doesn’t know ball (@SouthamptonPage)

> Twitter: @mattletiss7 As a Scottish saints ST holder, I have no idea Matt ![🤷🏼‍♂️](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.0/svg/1f937-1f3fc-200d-2642-fe0f.svg) (@thesecretbarry)

> Twitter: @mattletiss7 It’s quite baffling as he is in surely better form than some of the current Scotland midfielders (@MrDaleYarney)

> Twitter: @mattletiss7 Very bizarre but I’m not complaining. Less chance of him coming back to us injured like always (@Liam\_Houghton98)

> Twitter: @mattletiss7 Asked myself the same question, madness I think especially in a game like this (@cjwatkins93)

> Twitter: @mattletiss7 Crazy (@jamiecherryman)

In terms of club performance, Armstrong has been in fine form under Ralph Hasenhuttl this season. He has scored one goal and provided two assists this season – Southampton’s seventh-best performer from players who have featured more than five times ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/18/Show/England-Southampton)).

One positive that Saints fans can take from Armstrong’s national exclusion, though, is that he won’t be at much risk of picking up an injury sitting on the bench.