A lot of talk has been about the Celtic board not being ambitious enough in the 2025 summer transfer market.
Yet, on the opening game of the new Premiership season, as Celtic beat St Mirren, club-record transfer Arne Engels finds himself on the bench.
If you are the Celtic board, then you are probably giving that a mention to Brendan Rodgers, because it isn’t a good look, as Benjamin Nygren was picked ahead of the 2024 summer signing for the Flag Day fixture.
Nygren played alongside captain Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate in the middle of the park, with the natural right-sided winger playing a number eight role.
Why Benjamin Nygren started ahead of Arne Engels as Celtic beat St Mirren
St Mirren finished in the top six last season and also earned a point against the champions of Scotland on the final day of the previous campaign.
But how Stephen Robinson’s side play was a big reason behind Engels being benched, according to the Celtic manager.
Rodgers explained on Sky Sports that Nygren was picked over Engels because ‘I need players that really can get turned in that midfield section.’
“A very gifted player,” said Rodgers about Nygren. “Creative, scores goals and gets turned in midfield really well. We are looking forward to seeing him throughout the course of the season.
On tough call to bench Engels: “Throughout the season, we get many games over the course of the season, and this is a game where St Mirren will play low,” added Rodgers.
“Like I said, I need players that really can get turned in that midfield section. Arne has been great for us. He is really going to push on, I believe, again this season, so a very young player who adapted well last season.
“In the Champions League games, he was excellent. When the space is there, he can move. He will get better and better in those tighter spaces.”
How Nygren rated on his Celtic debut against St Mirren
It was a positive competitive debut for Nygren, and he was unlucky not to score in the first half when his effort hit the woodwork.
Nygren had a strong pre-season, so from his perspective, this is deserved, even if Engels will be thinking differently.
Overall, WhoScored rated Nygren’s performance just under seven.
- Shots: 2
- Key Passes: 2
- Aerials Won: 1
- Fouled: 1
- Passes: 56
- PA%: 89.3
- Dispossessed: 1
- Crosses: 8
- Accurate Long Ball: 3
- Touches: 78
- Rating: 6.71
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