BENJAMIN NYGREN hopes Celtic can repeat last season’s double Premiership triumph over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park tomorrow afternoon – without the late drama.
The Swedish World Cup midfielder was involved in both of last term’s nail biting encounters as the Hoops grabbed the points with stoppage-time winners.
In September, the scoreline stood at 1-1 when the visitors were awarded a penalty-kick. Kelechi Iheanacho, making his debut, stepped forward to lash in the victory goal.
And five months later, Martin O’Neill’s men came roaring back from two goals adrift at the interval to seal a remarkable 3-2 success with another late, late goal.
BACK IN THE GOAL ROUTINE…Benjamin Nygren acknowledges the acclaim from the Celtic fans after hitting the matchwinner against Dundee at Parkhead on Monday night.
Sebastian Tounekti and Nygren brought the game to all-square at 2-2 before Julian Araujo thumped in the crucial third in the seventh minute of added-on time.
Reflecting on the heroics in Ayrshire, Nygren, the matchwinner against Dundee in the Premiership opener at Parkhead on Monday evening, said: “My memories were that we didn’t play a good first-half.
“Then we came out in the second-half, like we did many times last season, and turned the game around.
“It was great that we made it and there are a lot of memories from when Julian scored and celebrated with the fans.
“I’ve seen it so many times and it became a big meme on social media, so that was very funny.
“But this year I hope we can score earlier and kill the game faster.”
Once again looking back on the spirit and desire of the players in the previous campaign in which he scored 21 goals, Nygren, speaking to Celtic Player, continued: “It showed the mentality of the group, that we never quit.
“Even though it was tough, we kept on chasing and we kept on fighting for each other all the time.
“There were so many games where you could feel on the pitch that a goal would come. I was so proud of what we did last season.
DIDN’T HE DO WELL…Benjamin Nygren celebrates scoring Celtic’s second goal in the 3-2 triumph at Mothewell on May 13 on the champions’ way to a fifth successive title.
“But now I hope that we don’t have to turn it around and that we can play better from the start and kill the game.”
Nygren’s pre-season was shorter than usual following his involvement with his country in the summer soccer showpiece, but the 24-year middle-of-the-park operator admitted he has enjoyed going straight back into competitive action.
He added: “It has been the shortest pre-season of my life. It felt like one day you had a vacation and then the next day the games started again.
“So, it was straight back in, but that’s also nice.
“We did some very, very good things together as a group last year.
“It must have been one of the best comebacks in history. That was how it felt, at least, and it was so nice to get the double in the end.
“We did amazing things together, so let’s hope we can continue to do that.”
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