Martin O'Neill and Chris Sutton in full agreement over 'terrific' Celtic star
Celtic undoubtedly have a 'terrific' player on their hands, and both Martin O'Neill and Chris Sutton agree. The Bhoys made relatively easy work of Dundee United in the Premier Sports Cup on Saturday, winning 4-0 in the absence of star man Arne Engels, who has moved on to West Ham in a £22million deal.
Engels follows another star man in Daizen Maeda leaving the club this summer, but fear not, Celtic have Benjamin Nygren. Last season's top scorer has started this season in fine form, and Saturday's performance was his best yet.
Nygren was undoubtedly the man of the match against Dundee United, and he landed a nine in our player ratings. The Sweden international produced a wonderful goal, but he also offered an assist and was a constant threat.
He has that something special that's needed to break even the most organised teams down, and that kind of player is hard to find.
Nygren delivers 'terrific' display
Speaking after the Dundee United game, Martin O'Neill said of his attacking midfield talent: "Yeah, great goal, really great goal. And he’s capable, he does the one thing that’s the hardest thing in the game to do, puts the ball in the net. Terrific.”
Meanwhile, Chris Sutton wrote on X: "Celtic dismissed Dundee United with ease. That’s pretty impressive after last season’s struggles against them. Delighted for Camilo Duran getting his goal. Nygren’s goal was terrific"
Nygren's presence has just become even more important with the departures of Maeda and Engels. He is helped by the strengthening of the front line, but it is now his job to fully unlock that front line, and Nygren did show his ability to do that on Saturday with a constant stream of service.
Many may have feared Nygren's form last season couldn't be repeated, and we have a long way to go yet, but there is no sign of the forward slowing down. More performances like this one will have clubs sniffing around in January, if not by the end of this month.
But Celtic won't be selling until next summer barring a surprise, and they will be heavily relying upon Nygren's top-end talent to get them through in the absence of those talented exitees, who will be replaced, yes, but not to the same standard.
Nygren's next job is to produce similar performances in those all-important Champions League qualifiers, and it's fair to say three consecutive wins to start the season have Bhoys fans feeling much more confident about their team's chances.
