The winger’s journey to stardom at Kilmarnock hasn’t been simple, despite his current status as a star player.
Diogo Jota at Wolves for a minute during training.
Jobless and unsure about your ability to kick a ball the next day? You go from being the popular child to the unwanted player. For a footballer, margins are acceptable. And Danny Armstrong is the one who understands that the best. He’s Kilmarnock’s top player for a reason. It goes beyond merely his obvious talent.
Armstrong is a hard worker, and that’s all a result of the experiences he’s had throughout his career. Born into a family of extraordinary talent, he began training with Mark Warburton’s Rangers team at the age of 17, hoping to sign a contract. Eventually, he made the life-altering decision to join Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Championship on a three-year contract, where he was competing for a first-team spot under manager Kenny Jackett. However, a year later, the club was acquired by Fosun International, a group of Chinese billionaires, and things were never the same.
It would be very hard for young athletes like Armstrong to make a breakthrough. Particularly with the arrival of players like Joao Moutinho, Ruben Neves, and future Liverpool player Jota. Armstrong could have joined FC Jumilla, a third level team in Spain, Wolves’ new feeder club.
But he departed the Midlands in pursuit of regular games, following the suggestion of Molineux’s technical director and former Premier League player Scott Sellars. He was prepared for the offers to come in even after his plan to transfer to Coventry City fell through. Still, they didn’t.
He was in limbo for six months. No future, no money, and no club. Then, without embellishment, John McGlynn turned his career around. Before arriving at Rugby, he moved from Raith Rovers to Ross County and back again.
Armstrong also won’t quickly forget the trip. The 26-year-old stated in an exclusive interview with MailSport, “I don’t regret joining Wolves, but between the ages of 17 and 20, I didn’t play enough first-team football.”
“I was accustomed to living with my parents, two brothers, and sister in the same home. I suddenly had to grow up since I was living alone in an apartment. It wasn’t the Wolves as you know them today when I arrived.
“They were taken over in a short while, and many fresh faces joined. For any young lad to succeed, it was difficult. Could my career have been different at that time if I had been given the chance? Yes, I would say.
Wolves purchased a Spanish team, to whom players were being loaned. However, Scott thought there was more to me than that. He wished that I would not go there and disappear. While I was there, Jota signed. H was younger than I was, but he was still quite good.
“I had a great time over the three years; I really enjoyed it.” I got to know some really smart guys, including Scott and Rob Edwards, who is currently Luton’s manager. I went because Scott thought I could play on a first team someplace and he had faith in me. Coventry made me an offer right away, and I accepted it.
“I had the opportunity to play in League One, but my agent offered me poor counsel and instructed me to
Hold off for a better deal. Coventry withdrew, and I was unable to assemble a squad. I was off the field from May until November. I was away from the game for exactly that long.
“That was an insane period of my life. Even if I wanted to keep playing football, I wasn’t sure. It was difficult. I was thinking about everything. If I wasn’t playing football, what would I do?
“I knew I was capable. If given the chance, I knew I could succeed in Scotland. However, I was being rejected by organizations like Morton that were unable to provide me a salary.
“I was being turned down wherever I went. At that point, you start to doubt yourself and wonder, “Am I good enough?” Giving up would have been simple.
McGlynn then entered the picture. He gave Armstrong an opportunity at Raith and helped him regain confidence after that, and he hasn’t really looked back. Even at Killie right now,
He knows who will be the recipient of one of the first texts if he scores or helps.
“I really texted John and asked if I could train with Raith,” the man stated. Fortunately, he made me an offer for a November–January contract. The money that was being offered didn’t concern me. It was a contract for nine games. However, he extended a two-year offer to me after my second game. It was incredible.
“I frequently speak with McGlynn since he has really impacted me. He kept my career alive. We both chuckle when I tell him that. He’ll text me after I score or play well here at Killie. I must appreciate him for providing me with that opportunity.
“I called John once more after I left Ross County and asked if he would accept me back. He leaped for it. However, I needed to persuade the Raith owner, who wasn’t pleased with my exit from the club.
It was a little bizarre. However, John told me all I needed to know at that encounter. In addition to being an excellent boss, he is also a bright individual.
Additionally, Armstrong has a comparable kind of
connection to Derek McInnes. They were able to remain in the top division last season thanks to his nine Premiership goals.
