![\"Benjamin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_Sporting-CP-v-Celtic-Pre-Season-Friendly.jpg\")
Benjamin Nygren on the ball against Sporting CP(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)<\/p>\nNygren has thoroughly impressed in pre-season and Rodgers reckons he’s nabbed himself a bargainBenjamin Nygren on the ball against Sporting CP(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Brendan Rodgers has hailed Benjamin Nygren<\/a> as a brilliant bargain buy and tipped the Swede to become a Celtic star.<\/p>\n The playmaker wowed Hoops fans in Wednesday night\u2019s friendly win against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal<\/a>.<\/p>\n And Rodgers<\/a> is convinced there is more to come from the 24-year-old this coming season.<\/p>\n Nygren<\/a> landed in a cut-price \u00a31.7million deal and the Parkhead gaffer reckons his value has already shot up. Rodgers is determined to help the attacking midfielder develop and become a smash-hit for Celts.<\/p>\n The Hoops boss said: \u201cI\u2019m really excited about him. He\u2019s a talent but it\u2019s about how these boys adapt to the pressure of being at Celtic. So far he has done very well.<\/p>\n \u201cHe moves so well. He\u2019s fluid, he can play, one or two touches.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to improve the intensity of his pressing but that will come. He covers the ground so easily. He can take the ball up the pitch and he has a lovely, deft pass on him.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a young player but he\u2019s also a leader. He\u2019s got a profile, he\u2019s got authority. He was obviously captain for his former club so has great leadership qualities.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was obviously coming to the end of his contract and we were looking to maximise the value, so he\u2019s clearly worth a lot more than that.\u201d<\/p>\n Nygren impressed against Sporting \u2013 along with several other star men, including Reo Hatate and Kieran Tierney.<\/p>\n Rodgers was delighted with the club\u2019s Portuguese camp and he\u2019s looking to step up another level against Newcastle United at Celtic Park this weekend.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cThe combination between the midfield three was very good the other night.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was Cal as the playmaker, with his vision.<\/p>\n \u201cReo further up the pitch and then Benjamin, who was moving so well and getting into positions where you can see he has the ability to score goals.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was nice to play with that confidence. As a club, the preparations have been outstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n Follow Record Sport<\/strong> on Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.<\/p>\n You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers<\/a> and Celtic<\/a> pages, and sign up to our newsletters<\/a> to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.<\/p>\n We’re also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here<\/a> and our Celtic community here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tune in to Hotline Live<\/a> every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On<\/a>, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.<\/strong><\/p>\n