Nancy hails Celtic matchwinner Nygren having failed to lure him to MLS

LOT TO LIKE: Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy applauds the fans after the William Hill Premiership match at the Home of the Set Fare Arena, Livingston. Pic: Steve Welsh/PA Wire

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy revealed he tried to sign Benjamin Nygren for his previous club after the Swede hit a double in a 4-2 win over Livingston.

The summer arrival from Nordsjaelland took his season tally to 10 with a tap-in and a powerful curling effort in off the post from 16 yards.

Former Columbus Crew head coach Nancy said: "When I was in Columbus, I wanted to have him, so I know him really well. I know what he can do.

"I think that he has a big potential. He hasn't reached yet his potential. He's not a dribbler, but his ability is to make the run for his team-mates. He also has technique.

"He knows that he has to be stronger, he has to believe a little bit more in himself, but I like what I've seen so far. I will challenge him."

Celtic fell behind twice in the opening eight minutes to Cristian Montano strikes but fought back instantly each time through Nygren and Yang Hyun-jun.

The Sweden midfielder put Celtic ahead in the 31st minute and Arne Engels rounded off the scoring with a penalty before the interval but both teams continued to create chances.

Nancy was pleased with his side's display as they cut the gap on William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts to three points with a game in hand.

"Good game," he said. "Difficult game to play regarding the context, regarding the pitch, regarding the opposition.

"I really liked the competitive spirit that we had. We came back twice from behind and after that we were able to score four goals. We could have scored more goals, obviously. But I really liked what we did in the first half.

"In the second half I liked it also but in different ways because defensively we were strong. We didn't concede. They attacked a little bit more.

"But offensively I think that we could have done better with the ball, to be able to stay in their half and to recognise (when) to attack. Because sometimes I think that we rushed and what happened was a chaotic game.

"They had the ball, they played the long ball. It was not easy to escape also the man-to-man. But I'm pleased with the competitive spirit that we had."

Nancy handed goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo a first league appearance of the season but stated that Kasper Schmeichel would be able to shake off a fitness issue ahead of Tuesday's game at Motherwell.

Livingston manager David Martindale bemoaned his side's failure to defend their box for several goals, but felt Daniel Finlayson was harshly penalised for handball for the VAR-assisted penalty after being nudged from behind by Daizen Maeda when defending a corner.

Martindale said: "I feel it's a really soft penalty. And I don't want to be sitting here talking about that but, where I am and where my head is, I think if that's in their box, I don't think we get that penalty.

"His hands are out but I think there's enough on Dan to kind of move him. And remember when you're watching this in slow motion, it's easy to look at. But seeing it happen in real time and the chaos of the game, it's really difficult at that point. But I think there's enough on Dan to off-balance him slightly."