WHO knew Benjamin Nygren was such a master of the understatement?
The Swede sealed Celtic’s 3-1 Europa League triumph over Feyenoord in Rotterdam with a memorable third goal with just eight minutes to go.
Martin O’Neill’s side were already leading through strikes from Yang Hyun-jun and Reo Hatate as the visitors responded brilliantly to losing the opening goal in the 11th minute to the Dutch club’s lively Japanese frontman Ayase Ueda.
As the game ticked down in wet and blustery conditions, Colby Donovan forced the pressure on the right before slipping a pass to the ever-willing Daizen Maeda practically on the bye-line.
PICK IT OUT…Benjamin Nygren thunders in Celtic’s memorable third goal.
The speedy striker turned the ball inside to the lurking Nygren who took a touch before lashing a venomous drive high past keeper Timon Wellenreuther, with the ball crashing into the net off the underside of the crossbar.
It was a goal fit to grace any occasion and it was a welcome lifeline to the Hoops as they tried to revive their hopes of progress in the competition after dropping eight points in their first four outings.
Reflecting on his breathtaking strike – his seventh of his debut campaign – the modest midfielder said: “I really don’t remember everything from the goal!
“Daizen laid it back to me, I tried to stay calm and make a good finish. I just tried to put it high and it was a good finish, so that was great.
“It was a needed win and now we’re back in it. It’s always huge to win no matter who you’re playing in a European game. We’ve won here against a good team who are usually in the Champions League.
“This was a great game for us and we need to keep on going now.”
Acknowledging the part the travelling support played in the club’s first away win in Europe in four years, Nygren, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “We heard them all through the game, so that was great.
“We’re so fortunate to have fans who travel everywhere we go.
“We’re so happy to celebrate this win with them and all of our fans back home in Glasgow.”
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