NEW Bhoy Benjamin Nygren scored his first Celtic goal and set up the second for Reo Hatate in a Man-of-the-Match performance in the champions’ 2-0 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
One man who is not surprised at the sudden impact of the £1.7million summer recruit is Brendan Rodgers who anticipates the versatile midfielder continuing in the same vein.
Nygren broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when he swooped in a crowded penalty box onto a perfect left-wing cross from Kieran Tierney to fire in a first-time left-foot drive that scorched low past the helpless Dimitar Mitov at his right-hand post.
BREAKTHROUGH…Benjamin Nygren hits the deck at the same time the ball hits the net as he opens his Celtic goal account at Pittodrie.
And any hopes of a Dons comeback were put in jeopardy in the 66th minute when the Swede picked out Hatate on the edge of the box and the Japanese ace rifled an unstoppable drive into the net via the underside of the crossbar.
Asked about Nygren’s display, a beaming Rodgers said: “Well, that was the idea for bringing him in.
“He’s a player who can play in the eight, he can play as a 10 or he can play on the side.
“But in how we play, I see him very much as an eight, someone who can move the ball quickly, get turned, take spaces and then do what he’s done. He gets in the box and he can get goals.
“It was a really good finish, but if you watch his movement from the first entry into the final third. He’s outside and then he comes in and then he’s done what we asked him to do, is get in the box to score goals and create goals.
“So, he can do that for us and I will expect him to get to get many more.”
ROARING SUCCESS…Benjamin Nygren races towards the Celtic support as he shares the joy following his first goal for the champions.
Reflecting on both goals, Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “Both were very good. For the first one, we arrived up into their half, worked the ball from one side to the other.
“Then Kieran showed that great quality and speed he has to create the space for the cross and then Benji scores.
“I’m so pleased for him. He’s got off the mark and he did really well.”
The Hoops gaffer added: “For our second goal, we played it through the pressure, attracted them to the ball and played it in behind and then worked it onto Reo.
“It was a brilliant finish and he’s scored a couple of really good goals up here, so that gave us real comfort in the game and we were then able to enjoy the football.”
