Benjamin Nygren is one of many Celtic players who has been subjected to criticism in recent weeks.
Brendan Rodgers compared his squad to a Honda Civic after last weekend’s defeat to Dundee, in a telling metaphor for the squad’s downgrade in the summer transfer window.
The result and performance against Sturm Graz was much-needed. After a poor start to the game, Liam Scales and Nygren completed a second-half turnaround.
Rodgers hit back at external criticism after the game, and defended his Celtic team. He made it clear that he had no regrets over the post-Dundee comments.
For Nygren however, the criticisms being levelled at the Hoops team were understandable.
Benjamin Nygren on Celtic criticisms after Sturm Graz win
Nygren put Celtic ahead with his winner on 65 minutes, and in truth, he should’ve had at least a hat-trick.
The Swede was playing in an unfamiliar right-wing role – Rodgers has made it clear that he has been brought to Parkhead to play as a midfielder.
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He has scored goals since coming to Celtic, operating on the right side of the team’s midfield three.
Like many of his teammates though, his performances have drawn criticism. Speaking in the mixed zone after the game, Nygren admitted that the criticism was justified.
He said: “The criticism, we deserved. None of us were happy at all with the very bad performance in the last game.
“So we were desperate to come out today with a win and a good performance in the game, where we show that we will turn this around and I think we did this today.
“We had a difficult start, two key players going out early, 1-0 down, but I think the team really just kept on going, created chances… my chances (laughs).
“And then in the end we got the two goals. I just hope that this was the turning point and that we will now just come flying and get a lot of wins.”
The Swede now has nine goal involvements since joining the Hoops from Danish side Nordsjaelland in the summer.
He seems to be a big personality, and his frank comments show a refreshing honesty.
Will Benjamin Nygren be Celtic’s right-winger going forward?
Despite preferring to operate centrally, Nygren may have to become the Hoops’ full-time right-winger over the coming weeks.
The reason for this is two-fold. For a start, Yang Hyun-Jun and James Forrest aren’t showing the required level to be starters, as the only two recognised right-wingers in the squad.
But Nygren operating on the right also allows Celtic to use the midfield three of Reo Hatate, Arne Engels and Callum McGregor which was so successful last season. Rodgers alluded to this after the game.
Engels looks so much more comfortable playing as the right number eight rather than the left, which is usually occupied by Hatate. Perhaps Rodgers has found the solution he said he was looking for.
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