The drubbing from the Dutch giants has sparked some creeping concerns for the Hoops
(Image: Getty Images)
Benjamin Nygren insists Celtic WILL be ready for their crucial Champions League showdown next month.
Ajax wiped the floor with the Hoops in Thursday’s night’s 5-1 friendly reality check for Celts with boss Brendan Rodgers admitted his squad is still short of what is required for the coming season.
The champions kick-off their title defence to St Mirren in eight days and are four weeks away from a crunch clash to get into the Champions League group stage – with the draw a week on Monday.
Nygren has hit the ground running following his £1.7m move and impressed in recent runouts against Newcastle United and Sporting Lisbon.
And he is adamant Celts won’t be caught cold for the big one. Nygren said: “I am confident we will be ready for those matches.
“We have very good players and I have already seen in the training games that we have a lot of quality. It wasn’t good enough against Ajax but we will be ready.”
Nygren is determined to blast his way to the big time and the Euro theme tune would be music to his ears.
He said: “The Champions League is a huge ambition for me and one of those dreams I have.
“I want to play at that level and hear that anthem. I really, really want to take that step.”
Nygren has made a slick start with Celts in pre-season and he admitted he already feels right at home.
He said: “It’s been very good. I’ve only got very good first impressions of everything, the staff, the players and the whole organisation – as well as the fans.
“It’s been easy to settle in and I’ve just tried to focus on my thing and showing my qualities and how good I am.
“I always feel confident of bringing that to all of the training sessions as well as the games I play.
“That’s something I want to show so it’s been really good and I am happy to be here.”
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