Nobody in the Celtic dressing room will be on a bigger high right now than Benjamin Nygren.
Hopefully, it works in Celtic’s favour, and Nygren can bring some of that Sweden magic onto the domestic stage, because it’s needed.
During the March international break, whilst some Celtic players put their feet up or were involved in friendly encounters, Nygren helped Sweden qualify for the World Cup in dramatic fashion.
Celtic’s summer signing admitted that he took inspiration from his club teammate Kieran Tierney, who provided his moment of magic when Scotland booked their World Cup ticket back in November.
“Yeah, for sure (Tierney inspired Nygren after Scotland heroics),” said Celtic’s top scorer.
“I was so happy for KT that he could experience this. It will be something that will live with, not only him, but with the whole nation for 50 years. 100 years ahead.”
Kieran Tierney has been one of Celtic’s best players this season…
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Benjamin Nygren admits Kieran Tierney inspiration after guiding Sweden to the 2026 World Cup
When Tierney was guiding Scotland to the World Cup, Nygren was experiencing a low for his country, because they would finish bottom of their qualifying group.
But Sweden’s success in the Nations League meant that they had one last chance via the play-offs, and after bringing in Graham Potter, they took that with both hands and will now travel to North America in the summer.
Nygren assisted in both matches, yes, he couldn’t score the quite stunning goal Tierney netted to fire Scotland to world football’s biggest stage, but it was still on the back of his mind.
On Sunday, Celtic will travel to Dundee when domestic football returns, and in his pre-match press conference, Nygren was asked about the obvious.
“It was an unbelievable experience,” said Nygren. “Something I have dreamt about since I was a kid. It was an incredible night. I think the best experience so far in my football career.
“I was so excited for the game. I was looking forward to it for such a long time. Dreamt about going to the World Cup since I was a kid. It was one game that decided it all, at home. It was just an incredible night. It was almost like a movie.
“Yeah, for sure (Tierney inspired Nygren after Scotland heroics).
“I also watched that game. That was a crazy game as well. That was like a movie. I was so happy for KT that he could experience this. It will be something that will live with, not only him, but with the whole nation for 50 years. 100 years ahead.
“It’s in the history books, and it’s a great memory.”
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