Rodger Hannah has praised Benjamin Nygren’s immediate impact at Celtic after the Swede scored the opener in Sunday’s 2-0 win at Aberdeen, linking up neatly with fellow summer signing Kieran Tierney.
After impressing in pre-season, a few fans were maybe a bit underwhelmed by his SPFL debut against St Mirren, but there were positive signs there – he just looked a little nervous.
Against Aberdeen, he was great. He created the most chances in the match, while winning his side the most free kicks. His goal was well taken from the edge of the six-yard line, but obviously outhshadowed by Hatate’s second-half strike.
Speaking on Clyde 1 SSB, the SunSport journalist said, “Tierney seemed to get a bit of space to knock that ball in for Benjamin Nygren for the first goal.
“The two new signings linking well. Defensively, they were never really troubled, were they? And I’m still fascinated by that midfield. McGregor, nailed on. Hatate, if he plays like he did and scores goals like that, nailed on. Arnie Engels, £11 million – can’t get into the team. Really, really fascinated.
“When they signed Benjamin Nygren, we were saying, right, is Nygren going to play up front? Is he going to play on the right wing? Is he going to play on the left wing? I don’t think any of us really thought he was going to go in the place of Arnie Engels in that sort of advanced number eight position. But he’s earning his place.”
The 24-year-old’s versatility has already given Rodgers another option in an area of the pitch packed with competition, and performances like the one at Pittodrie will only strengthen his case for a regular starting role.
He’s probably been the best summer signing so far, outwith Kieran Tierney.
It’s also going to benefit Arne Engels. For the first time in his Celtic career, he has some serious competition, and when he does get minutes, he’s going to need to impress massively. He’s got that hunger in him, he showed it against St Mirren last week, it’s now about turning that into starring performances.
