Celtic summer signing Benjamin Nygren wasted no time in writing his name into the headlines, producing a man-of-the-match performance in just his second league appearance as the Hoops saw off Aberdeen 2-0 at Pittodrie.

The Swede struck the opener on 27 minutes, timing his run perfectly to meet Kieran Tierney’s cross from the left. Nygren nipped ahead of Sivert Heltne Nilsen and coolly guided the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Dimitar Mitov rooted to the spot.

It was a composed finish and a reward for Celtic’s early dominance, with most of their joy coming down the right flank through Nygren, James Forrest, and Alistair Johnston.

The midfielder’s influence didn’t stop there. Early in the second half, he was involved in a string of dangerous moves, sending in a pinpoint cross for Adam Idah that the striker headed just wide before later threading a perfect ball to Reo Hatate on the edge of the box.

Hatate needed no second invitation, taking a touch and rifling an unstoppable strike into the top corner to seal the points on 66 minutes.

Nygren’s energy and sharpness caused Aberdeen constant problems. He won multiple free kicks, drove at the defence with intent, and showed vision in the final third, creating three clear opportunities for team-mates.

The 24-year-old could have had a second himself when Mitov parried a Hatate shot into his path, but he blazed over from close range, the only fault on an otherwise outstanding afternoon.

Brendan Rodgers’ decision to start Nygren ahead of Arne Engels paid off brilliantly. On a day when James Forrest’s return to the starting line-up caught the pre-match attention, it was Nygren who made the loudest statement, showing he’s ready to be a key figure in Celtic’s title push.