Wilfried Nancy has revealed he tried to sign Benjamin Nygren before the midfieler ever arrived at Celtic.
Speaking after the Livingston match, the Celtic manager confirmed his long-standing interest in the player and made it clear this was not a recent discovery.
The admission adds fresh context to Nygren’s growing influence at the club.
Nygren has quickly become an important figure in Celtic’s attack this season. His goals, movement, and link play have stood out, especially during a period when Celtic have lacked options through the middle.
Supporters have taken to the Swede, and Nancy’s comments explain why the manager trusts him so much.
The revelation also sheds light on Nancy’s wider thinking. He is not just working with what he has inherited.
He already has clear ideas about the type of players he values and how they fit his style. Nygren appears to match that profile closely.
This came at a time when Celtic are leaning heavily on midfielders for goals. Injuries and squad gaps have pushed more responsibility onto players like Nygren, and he has responded.
Nancy’s comments suggest this is no surprise to him, given what he already knew about the player.
He said: (TCW), “When I was in Columbus, I wanted to have him. So I know him really well.
“I know what he can do. I think that he has a big potential. He hasn’t reached yet his potential.
“But I think that in terms of relation, connection with players. This is a player of relation. So he likes to… This is not a dribbler.
“His ability is to make the run for his teammates but also the technique that he has. So now he knows that he has to be stronger. He has to believe a little bit more in himself.
“But I like what I’ve seen so far. But I will challenge him.”
The comments give a clear view of how Nancy sees Nygren in this Celtic side. He is not selected for tricks or moments on his own.
He is trusted for how he moves, where he positions himself, and how he connects attacks. In Nancy’s 3-4-2-1 shape, Nygren plays as one of the two number tens behind the striker, which suits his strengths.
That role has taken shape quickly. Nygren drifts inside rather than staying wide, looks for space between the lines, and arrives late in the box.
From that position behind the striker, he is harder to mark and more involved in key moments. His goals against Livingston showed that sharp sense of timing and space.
Nancy’s mention of belief matters. He sees untapped level in Nygren and wants him to demand more from himself.
That mix of encouragement and pressure has been a constant in Nancy’s early work. Players are supported, but they are also pushed to raise standards.
The earlier attempt to sign Nygren is important context. Nancy’s trust did not appear overnight.
It shows he had a clear view of Nygren’s profile long before taking the Celtic job. The player is not only riding form, but operating within a plan the manager already believed in.
This also links to recruitment thinking. Nancy has a clear idea of the types of players who fit his system, especially in those inside attacking roles.
Whether the club matches that vision in future windows is still unclear, but Nygren looks like a natural fit for it.
For Nygren, the focus now shifts to repeat performances. He has shown he can influence games and handle pressure moments.
The next test is producing that level regularly as teams adjust to him.
Celtic will rely on that growth. With the title race tight, they need players who can affect matches without everything being shaped around them.
Nygren’s movement, awareness, and ability to play between the lines make him valuable in that structure.
Nancy’s final point about challenging him is telling.
It suggests this partnership is still developing. Progress is clear, but the manager believes there is more to come.
For supporters, the picture is simple. Nygren is trusted, well understood, and expected to improve further.
Playing as a number ten in Nancy’s 3-4-2-1, he looks like a player built for what the manager wants to do.
