"Extra Tough" - Benjamin Nygren Opens Up On Celtic's Champions League Collapse

Benjamin Nygren has admitted Celtic's dramatic Champions League exit remains difficult to accept but insists the players must move forward. The Swedish midfielder appeared to have helped put the Hoops in complete control of their play-off against LASK when he scored a stunning first-leg goal from outside the box.

Celtic secured a commanding 3-0 advantage that night before moving another goal ahead in Austria. However, an extraordinary collapse saw Martin O'Neill's side surrender that lead and drop into the Europa League.

Celtic's Camilo Duran (centre) celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game with team-mate Benjamin Nygren (right) as LASK's George Bello (left) looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League play-off first leg match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Their start in Europe's second-tier competition did little to lift the mood, with Ferencvaros securing a 3-1 victory at Celtic Park.

That defeat came between two damaging derby losses to Rangers, leaving Celtic with three consecutive defeats heading into the international break. Speaking to the media in Sweden ahead of his country's Nations League meeting with Poland, Nygren opened up on the impact of the LASK collapse.

"It's tough, of course," he said. "As a player, you always want to play in the biggest tournaments and I was looking forward to going to the Champions League so much.

"It's extra tough, especially after we missed out on penalties last year. You have to try to move on as quickly as possible.

It can't sit around for too long, but it's difficult. "The fans want us to play in the biggest tournaments just like we do.

Of course, they'll be as disappointed as we are. But as it is, we have to try to make the best of the situation.

"The last week has also been tough with three straight losses, two of which were against Rangers, which was extra tough. "It's been a bit up and down, but personally I've done very well in many games.