STUART ARMSTRONG’s 25-yard rocket lifted Saints during their FA Cup clash with Coventry City – but the Scottish international is hoping that his first strike of the season can be “something to build on” for the Scot on a personal level.

Introduced after the half-time break, Armstrong took matters into his own hands after an ineffective Saints side failed to breach Coventry’s defence.

Shortly after the hour mark, he found himself in plenty of space outside of the box, with former Celtic man sending a swerving effort beyond Simon Moore in the Coventry goal – and into the top left corner of the goal.

Speaking about his sublime strike to the Daily Echo, Armstrong stated: “We had a lot of possession around the box.

“They went 1-0 up, and the natural reaction to that is that they’re going to get deeper and deeper, and we’re going to control the game a bit more, try and break them down.

“Countering that, it’s always a hard position to be in.

“We were restricted to long range shots from in and around the box, to try and get us back into the game, but luckily I caught it well and it’s gone in.”

Armstrong went on to discuss how his first strike of the season could serve as a platform for the rest of his campaign, with the Scot recently returning to the side after injury.

The 29-year-old’s last goal for Saints came in the 3-2 win at home to Burnley in April 2021, with Armstrong hoping his latest strike will help to put his injuries this season well and truly behind him.

“I felt good – I felt like my old self.

“From a personal point of view it’s been a really frustrating first half of the season for me.

“My first goal of the season as well so it’s definitely something to build on and I’m really happy today that it’s helped the team to get a win.”