What’s Benjamin Nygren role and when will we find out

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The Celtic Star

·10 July 2025

What’s Benjamin Nygren role and when will we find out

What’s the role for Benjamin Nygren at Celtic and when will we see our new signing in action?

Benjamin Nygren. Photo Imago

Benjamin Nygren has all the hallmarks to be one of the shrewdest signings we’ve made in recent years after joining the club for the relatively low fee of £1.5 million from Danish side Nordsjaelland.

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As for Benji’s best position, well that is still up for debate

The 24 year old Swedish international boasts impressive stats at both club and international level, and will be expected to produce similar or even higher levels during his time playing for Celtic. As for Benji’s best position, well that is well and truly still up for debate. Most reckoned he was a right sided winger in the mould of Nicolas Kuhn so he was naturally tipped as a replacement for the now departed German.

It has however been suggested that he could well be slotted into the ‘number ten’ role operating as the proverbial playmaker. indeed that’s where he might be at his best, giving us a cross between Tom Rogic and Matt O’Riley, and that would be something special!

Tom Rogic scores the winner at the Scottish Cup Final, Celtic v Aberdeen at Hampden in May 2017. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Looking at his highlight reel would suggest he’s more of a wide player who can play on both flanks, and being naturally left footed like Nicolas Kuhn he likes to cut in from the right and use his trusted left foot.

Maybe Brendan has other plans to utilise the Swedes abilities?

Although unlike the departing Kuhn, Benji isn’t blessed with great pace so maybe Brendan has other plans to utilise the Swedes abilities. Like that Tom Rogic role that on its day was irresistible. There’s certainly been whispers that the manager will indeed use Nygren in a more central role behind the strikers playing alongside Reo Hatate, providing plenty of creativity and goal threats and strengthening Celtic’s ability be break down low block defences.

Reo Hatate. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Hatate’s injury was a crucial factor in Scottish Cup final defeat

That would make sense as we don’t have any real alternative for Reo or another number eight like Matt O’Riley to play alongside him. Celtic became over reliant on Hatate’s creative flair in the middle of the park last season and his absence from the Scottish Cup final played a huge part in Celtic failing to break Aberdeen’s low block down, eventually losing the game in a penalty shoot-out.

Benjamin Nygren alongside Reo Hatate is one option and in more defensive minded occasions, in the Champions League or at Ibrox, we might only need one but will have two to choose from. Like Hatate, Nygren has enough creative flair and goal threat to play advanced midfield role behind two sitting midfielders in Callum McGregor and Arne Engels.

Arne Engels scores. St Mirren v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Saturday 1st March 2025. Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

A winger, an eight or a ten. The Swede can also play up top

The next few weeks should tell us all we need to know in regard to Benji’s role in the side. A winger, an eight or a ten. The Swede can also play up top, so provides Brendan Rodgers will plenty of options. Hopefully he hits the ground running. Like you, I’m desperate to see Benjamin Nygren in action for Celtic.

When will we see Benji in action? Hopefully in the upcoming games over in Portugal but where he”ll play is anybody’s guess.

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