BENJAMIN NYGREN has yet to kick a ball in competitive action for Celtic following his £1.7million arrival last month.
The 23-year-old Swedish forward was eager to take on the challenges of being a Hoops player after sealing his switch from Danish side FC Nordsjælland.
Nygren was in involved in the team’s back-to-back encounters against Newcastle United and Ajax within five days of each other. The new Bhoy celebrated in the 4-0 triumph over Eddie Howe’s Premier League outfit and then suffered in the 5-1 flop against Ajax in Como.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Brendan Rodgers delivers instructions to Benjamin Nygren.
Despite the rollercoaster start to his career at the Hoops, the versatile performer, who can play wide and in midfield, insists Brendan Rodgers’ team will be prepared for the Premiership kick-off against St Mirren at Parkhead a week tomorrow.
And he also reckons Celtic will be up to speed for their crunch Champions League qualifier next month with the team learning their opponents when the draw is made a week on Monday.
Nygren said: “I am confident we will be ready for those matches.
“We have very good players and I have already seen in the training games that we have a lot of quality. It wasn’t good enough against Ajax, but we will be ready.
“The Champions League is a huge ambition for me and one of those dreams I have.
“I want to play at that level and hear that anthem. I really want to take that step.”
CHEERS…Benjamin Nygren congratulates Yang Hyun-jun on his goal against Ajax.
Reflecting on his new surroundings, Nygren, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “It’s been very good. I’ve only got very good first impressions of everything, the staff, the players and the whole organisation – as well as the fans.
“It’s been easy to settle in and I’ve just tried to focus on showing my qualities and how good I am.
“I always feel confident of bringing that to all of the training sessions as well as the games I play.
“That’s something I want to show, so it’s been really good and I am happy to be here.”
Nygren will be involved again this evening when the Hoops take on Saudia Arabian outfit Al-Ahli in the third place play-off for the Como Cup.
Thursday night’s conquerors Ajax will meet the hosts, with ex-Celt Nicolas Kuhn in the line-up, in tomorrow’s showpiece finale.
