Benjamin Nygren believes that Celtic's recent exit from the Champions League continues to affect the players. He expressed his personal disappointment at missing out on the prestigious tournament for the second consecutive year. Celtic, under Martin O’Neill, crashed out at the playoff stage despite a solid 3-0 lead in the first leg against Austrian champions LASK.
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In the second leg in Linz, things unraveled for Celtic, culminating in a damaging 5-1 extra time defeat, which has been described as the worst result in the club's history, both in terms of morale and financial impact. Nygren was also part of last year's squad that was eliminated at the same stage after losing on penalties to Kairat Almaty. Combined, these two failures are estimated to have cost Celtic at least £60 million.
While on international duty, Nygren commented on the situation, saying, "We have to try to make the best of the situation. It’s tough, of course. As a player, you always want to play in the biggest tournaments. It’s extra tough after we missed out on penalties last year. You have to try to move on quickly, but it’s difficult."
He acknowledged the disappointment shared with the fans, emphasizing their desire for the team to compete in top-level tournaments. Nygren noted that despite the setbacks, he has performed well individually, contributing with goals and assists, although the team has faced challenges, including three consecutive losses, two against rivals Rangers.
Nygren remarked on the intense passion for football within the club, stating, "Football really means everything there. You should never take it for granted. Every match matters, and the expectation to win is immense. If you don't succeed, it's not good enough. I want to play at a big club and win every match. That pressure helps you grow as a player and a person."