![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_Celtic-v-Newcastle-United-Pre-Season-Friendly.jpg\")
(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\nThe drubbing from the Dutch giants has sparked some creeping concerns for the Hoops(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Benjamin Nygren insists Celtic<\/a> WILL be ready for their crucial Champions League showdown next month.<\/p>\n Ajax wiped the floor with the Hoops in Thursday\u2019s night\u2019s 5-1 friendly reality check for Celts with boss Brendan Rodgers<\/a> admitted his squad is still short of what is required for the coming season.<\/p>\n The champions kick-off their title defence to St Mirren<\/a> in eight days and are four weeks away from a crunch clash to get into the Champions League<\/a> group stage \u2013 with the draw a week on Monday.<\/p>\n Nygren has hit the ground running following his \u00a31.7m move and impressed in recent runouts against Newcastle United<\/a> and Sporting Lisbon.<\/p>\n And he is adamant Celts won\u2019t be caught cold for the big one. Nygren said: \u201cI am confident we will be ready for those matches.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have very good players and I have already seen in the training games that we have a lot of quality. It wasn\u2019t good enough against Ajax but we will be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n Nygren is determined to blast his way to the big time and the Euro theme tune would be music to his ears.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cThe Champions League is a huge ambition for me and one of those dreams I have.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to play at that level and hear that anthem. I really, really want to take that step.\u201d<\/p>\n Nygren has made a slick start with Celts in pre-season and he admitted he already feels right at home.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIt\u2019s been very good. I\u2019ve only got very good first impressions of everything, the staff, the players and the whole organisation – as well as the fans.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been easy to settle in and I\u2019ve just tried to focus on my thing and showing my qualities and how good I am.<\/p>\n \u201cI always feel confident of bringing that to all of the training sessions as well as the games I play.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s something I want to show so it\u2019s been really good and I am happy to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n Follow Record Sport 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 Celtic<\/a> page, and sign up to our newsletters<\/a> to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.<\/p>\n We’re also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Celtic community here<\/a>.<\/p>\n