Life has started well for Benjamin Nygren at Celtic.
Yes, it’s only pre-season matches, but Nygren has made a positive start, and he might be thrust straight into the starting XI for Celtic’s opening Premiership match against St Mirren on August 3.
You wonder how Brendan Rodgers will shape up his forward line because Nicolas Kuhn has left, Jota is probably injured until 2026, and there is uncertainty over the striker role.
Added to that, Hyunjun Yang is also expected to leave, so it leaves Celtic short in the final third, as many more changes could be made before the 2025 summer transfer window slams shut.
This increases Nygren’s chances of starting, but where does he play?
Benjamin Nygren’s role under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic
Peter Grant has been watching Nygren with interest in pre-season, including how he has been deployed as the ‘third midfield player.’
Speaking on Go Radio, the former Hoops star admitted that he is ‘not sure’ where the 24-year-old is going to play, despite people telling him that the Swedish star is ‘more of a forward player.’
“Nygren, I am not sure where he is going to play,” said Grant. “From the games I have seen, he has played in that third midfield player.
“People say to me, ‘he is more of a forward player.’ I am thinking, ‘that will be interesting because he hasn’t really done that in the pre-season games I have seen him.’
“So, it will be interesting to see. That’s why I am excited for the new season to start. You just want it to get started again. I am sure the players are like that now.”
Nygren’s roles for FC Nordsjælland last season
The thing here is that Celtic are more in need of a right-sided forward than someone being able to play in the middle of the park or as a ten.
There are enough options there, including Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo being back-up options.
| Played as… | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Winger | 15 | 8 | 3 |
| Left Winger | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Central Midfield | 4 | 2 | – |
| Attacking Midfield | 2 | 2 | – |
| Centre-Forward | 1 | – | – |
Thankfully, Nygren can play that role, and he did so last season for Nordsjælland, with good effect.
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