Celtic secured a 4-0 victory against Dundee United at Tannadice to reach the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup as Benjamin Nygren scored one goal and set up two more. The 25-year-old Swedish midfielder played in a central role behind striker Kasper Hogh to help Celtic prepare for Wednesday night's Champions League play-off first leg against LASK at Parkhead.
Nygren entered the match having scored in each of Celtic's opening two Scottish Premiership games against Dundee and Kilmarnock. His performance underscored his value to manager Martin O'Neill's squad following his 21 goals in all competitions last season.
Dundee United experienced a frustrating start despite hitting the frame of the goal twice within three frantic minutes early in the first half. Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo was saved by his right-hand post when Cameron Carter-Vickers made an unconvincing clearance to Julius Eskesen at the edge of the area in the 13th minute.
Moments later, a clearance from Sinisalo struck Callum McGregor midway inside the Celtic half and fell to Eskesen, who passed to Emmanuel Agyei. The Ghanaian midfielder took a touch 20 yards out and released a fine effort that beat Sinisalo before striking the inside of the same post and being cleared.
First-half goals by Trusty and Duran
Celtic began turning the screw midway through the first 45 minutes when Colby Donovan won a corner on the right side. Nygren clipped the ball into the penalty area, where American centre-back Auston Trusty made an untracked diagonal run to the near post and directed a glancing header into the opposite corner past goalkeeper Jack Walton.
Celtic doubled their lead two minutes later in the 24th minute when Camilo Duran scored his first goal for the club since arriving from Qarabag in a £5.5million transfer. Nygren picked up the ball midway inside the United half and sent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain clear on the right side of the penalty area with a forward pass.
The former Arsenal player fired a low ball across goal toward Kasper Hogh under pressure from Bert Esselink. As both players went to ground, the ball appeared to strike Hogh's arm before falling to Duran, who reacted faster than Eskesen to scoop the ball into the net. VAR Greg Aitken reviewed the incident and confirmed the goal.
Duran came close to turning provider before the break when he picked out Hogh with a chipped pass at the back post. The Danish striker volleyed wide from close range and approached Duran as the teams left the pitch at half-time to offer what appeared to be an apology.
Hogh struggled to capitalize on opportunities throughout the first half despite leading the line well. In the 19th minute, he fluffed a header from a Callum McGregor cross that looped into Walton's hands, following up on his three-goal performance against Kilmarnock last weekend.
Second-half strikes and woodwork hits
Dundee United fought back early in the second half as they sought a route back into the tie. Forward Zac Sapsford hit the crossbar with a powerful strike that had Sinisalo comprehensively beaten.
Celtic extended their lead in the 54th minute through Sebastian Tounekti. Nygren collected the ball in central midfield and played a diagonal pass to the Tunisian winger on the left flank.
Tounekti advanced to the edge of the box, cut inside past defender Joshua Rawlins, and dispatched a low shot that foxed Walton at his near post.
Dundee United hit the woodwork for a fourth time shortly after when Esselink struck the crossbar. Despite creating chances, United were unable to convert their opportunities into goals.
Nygren goal and squad substitutions
Nygren capped his performance in the 63rd minute by scoring Celtic's fourth goal. Tounekti played the ball in from the left to find Nygren at the edge of the area. Nygren controlled the ball with his right foot and bent a left-footed strike into the net.
The goal marked Nygren's third goal and third assist in three matches this season. He received a standing ovation from the visiting supporters behind the goal when he was substituted for Luke McCowan shortly after scoring.
The four-goal cushion allowed O'Neill to give playing time to new midfielder Mika Baur, signed from SC Paderborn, and Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan ahead of the European tie against LASK. Dundee United substitute Mehdi Merghem hit the crossbar from distance late in the match, marking the fifth time United hit the woodwork on the night.
