Benjamin Nygren reveals the superstar comparison that has followed him as deciding Celtic transfer factor named
Benjamin Nygren is surprisingly down to earth for a kid who was a Swedish teenage sensation who drew comparisons with Big Head himself.
The Celtic ace has remained humble and he's convinced being thrust into the spotlight as a school boy will help him handle the heat of playing for the Hoops.
Nygren has settled in quickly at Celts and already looks like a summer steal after being picked up from Nordsjaelland for just £1.7m.
But it shouldn't come as a surprise. This is a guy who takes most things in his stride – even being talked about in the same breath as Zlatan Ibrahimovic – nicknamed Big Head in his homeland – when he was still eating lunch in the school canteen.
Nygren was rated as one of the hottest properties in Europe when he burst onto the scene at Gothenburg, performing week in, week out in Sweden while he was still studying for his exams.
A big money move to Genk Belgium at just 17-years-old might have been a wrong turn but the 24-year-old got back on track and ready for anything that comes next.
He didn't lose the head with the Zlatan stuff and will keep his cool with the Hoops.
Nygren said: 'Yeah, I noticed those stories (back then). But I always just tried to focus on my football.
'I made my debut when I was 16 but it wasn't until I was 17 that I started to do well.
'I was at high school at the time. It was a huge thing, of course, but I always had that view in front of me when I was a young kid.
'I think most kids who play football have the same dream.
'But when I was very young I had a clear view that I wanted to be a professional football player.
'When anyone asked me what I wanted to be I would always say a professional football player.
'They would then say, 'but what if you don't become a professional football player?'
'But I would say, 'I WILL become a professional.'
'I have always had that focus and clear view in front of me and have been working so hard from a young age to fulfil it.
'When I was younger, I always had big dreams.
'That was to play for the Swedish national team and play in the biggest competitions for both my country and my club. I have always had that dream.
'And that's the dream I am chasing every day. I am working as hard as I can to go as far as possible.'
Nygren is gearing up for Flag Day at Celtic Park next weekend but won't be overawed.
He's slotted in with Celts like he's been at the club for years and was impressive again in his run out against Ajax in Como on Thursday, even though the wh eels came off the Hoops by the end in the 5-1 friendly wake up call.
He said: 'I have learned a lot through the years. The first time I played in front of a big audience was in Gothenburg when I was 16.
'That's a club that also has a lot of fans and very good fans. I had a really good relationship with them.
'So I have played in front of big crowds a lot of times, even though I am still pretty young.
'I have learned a lot during my years. For me, mindset is one of the biggest parts of being in sports in general. That's all sports including football.
'Maybe at 16 I had a good mental focus. But I have also learned a lot in the eight years since then and that includes the ups and the downs. It's been very healthy.'
Nygren is ready for the next step – and he's convinced he's in safe hands at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers.
He said: 'I have only got really, really good impressions of him.
'We had really good contact and he was a big part of why I came here. I had a really good talk with him before I signed.
'He didn't have to sell Celtic to me – I know about Celtic and how big it is. Of course, it was a big decision.
'I am still pretty young. I was 23 when I signed and I'm already 24!
'Probably I will have my best years ahead so I wanted to come to a big club that plays in the biggest competitions and Celtic have everything. I will play in front of 60,000 every home game and that's going to be amazing.
'I think it's a brilliant part of my development.
'I am looking forward so much to playing at Paradise in front of all of the fans.'
Nygren didn't need to do much research on Celts. It helped being pals with the son of one of the club's all-time greats.
The playmaker is part of the Sweden set up with Jordan Larsson – Henrik's lad – and he said: 'Last time I spoke with him was when we were with the national team a month ago.
'Of course, I know about his dad - the King of Kings, right?!
'I have seen many YouTube clips of him scoring a lot of goals for Celtic.
'I haven't met Henrik but Jordan is an amazing guy and he is also doing very well in his career.
'There was always some talk about Celtic and it's never too late, you know!
'But that's not my job – that's for the Sporting Director!'.
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