With the dust now beginning to settle on Martin O’Neill’s first game back, a sterling 4-0 win over Dundee United on Saturday, the manager gave an exclusive interview to Celtic TV. The four goals at the weekend came from four different players, with midfielders thriving on the freedom to get into scoring positions, either outside, or well inside the box, with Benjamin Nygren particularly excelling in that role this term. Indeed, the Swede has hit double figures with 11 goals so far this season with his seemingly natural ability to get into those positions. And the Celtic manager is delighted with the contribution from the Hoops midfielders so far, whether it be from that natural ability, or from coaching on the training pitch. The Irishman said: “The more natural it is, the better chance you have of getting into those positions. “But you can also learn it as well, and I think that players who have not scored the number of goals really that their ability should suggest, that’s something that they can definitely learn. ‘But, for instance, his (Nygren’s) goal there against Dundee United, I felt it was exquisite.’ “And I’ll tell you why, because it’s really under his feet for a start, he doesn’t panic, he doesn’t fly kick at it. “He takes his time, he’s only on the field of play a minute or two, he takes his time, he digs it out from his feet and bends it into the net. “Now that was a really good goal. It looked very, very simple, but it’s really good goal because he could have thought, ‘I’m only on the field here, I’ll just toe this in.’ or whatever the case may be, but he took it brilliantly. “And, I also said to him, in the game that I watched on TV, he picked up some really good positions in the game at Livingston as well, got his goals, and that wonderful goal, the goal was exquisite. “I said to him I got as much pleasure out of him tapping the one in from about two or three yards, because he’s read the situation, he’s stayed, it’s flicked off somebody and there he is to tap into the net. “And those goals, I think they’re vital, they are vital for confidence, but they’re vital for midfield players.”Hear the manager also speak on: The Dundee United match The return of Stephen Welsh Wednesday’s game against Falkirk The further games coming up against Auchinleck Talbot and Bologna Watch the full interview with Martin now on Celtic TV Subscribe Now
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