Football pundit Kris Boyd has openly questioned whether Celtic forward Benjamin Nygren truly has what it takes to thrive in the English Premier League. To highlight his doubts, Boyd pointed to the recent struggles of former Celtic standout Matt O’Riley as a prime example of how difficult the transition can be.
Nygren has become a highly debated figure at Celtic Park this season. The Swedish star has an undeniable eye for the net, boasting a very impressive 19 goals across all competitions. However, his lack of general involvement during the regular flow of matches constantly leaves fans and experts wanting more from him. Fellow pundit Chris Sutton has also voiced similar concerns regarding Nygren’s overall contribution to the team.
Speaking about the rumors of a potential 20 million pound move to the English top flight, Boyd made his stance very clear. He acknowledged that Nygren’s goalscoring statistics are exceptional. However, Boyd noted that O’Riley also posted incredible numbers while contributing significantly more to the overall game, yet he has still found it incredibly tough to establish himself down south.
O’Riley was beloved in Glasgow for his elegant playstyle before securing a highly anticipated transfer to Brighton and Hove Albion. Sadly, his Premier League journey has not gone according to plan. A severe injury just nine minutes into his Brighton debut sidelined him for months. While he did return to score a thrilling game-winner against Manchester City, that euphoric high remains his only major standout moment in England.
After a brief loan spell at Champions League side Marseille over the summer, the Danish midfielder returned to Brighton in January. Today, he struggles to even make the matchday squad. Across 27 appearances for the club, O’Riley has managed just 14 starts, three goals, and three assists.
This stark reality raises a massive question for any club considering a big money move for Celtic’s current top scorer. If a vastly superior technician like O’Riley is finding the physical Premier League so challenging, buyers must genuinely wonder if Nygren can successfully make the leap. While many Celtic fans would love a romantic reunion with O’Riley, the midfielder is currently fighting hard to save his Premier League career.