Benjamin Nygren has admitted Celtic are still carrying the disappointment of their dramatic Champions League exit as they prepare to return from the international break. The Swedish playmaker, speaking while on duty with his national team, said the pain of the European collapse and a run of three straight losses has been difficult to shake.
Nygren spoke to media in Sweden ahead of a Nations League match against Poland. He acknowledged the emotional toll of missing out on Europe's top competition, a feeling shared by the club's supporters. "It's very difficult to describe, but football really means everything there, which I think is very nice and something you shouldn't take for granted," Nygren said. He stated the team needs to move on from the Champions League pain as quickly as possible, but conceded it is a difficult process that cannot happen overnight.
The 25-year-old referenced the weight of expectation at a club like Celtic, where every match carries immense pressure. He said the last week before the break was particularly tough, featuring two defeats to rivals Rangers and a Europa League loss to Ferencvaros. Those results contributed to a run of three consecutive defeats, a stark contrast to the team's strong league position where they sit first in the Premiership with 18 points from seven games.
Nygren's personal contribution
Despite the collective frustration, Nygren pointed to his own development since joining Celtic. He stated he has scored a few goals and provided assists in many games this season, feeling he has grown as both a player and a person under the intense pressure of playing at Celtic Park. He emphasised his desire to win every single match and to be a contributing factor for the team.
The context for Nygren's comments is a turbulent period that saw Celtic surrender a 4-0 aggregate lead to lose 5-1 away to LASK, crashing out of Champions League qualification. They were subsequently bumped into the Europa League, where they began with a 3-1 home defeat to Ferencvaros. The team then suffered back-to-back losses to Rangers, including a 1-0 defeat at Parkhead on September 20. You can review the team's recent results and upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
Celtic now turn their focus to domestic matters, aiming to protect their two-point lead at the top of the table. Their next challenge is a trip to face Motherwell, who currently sit ninth, on October 11. The full squad available for that match can be seen on our squad list.
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