The Post Match Review: Tierney, Nygren and Trusty Shine In Opening Day Victory
- By LIAM McBRIDE
- 11 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Celtic started the 2026/27 campaign with a comfortable if unspectacular 1-0 victory against Dundee. While supporters may have hoped for a more inspiring display, with a barrow load of chances, it could have easily ended up a 3-0 or 4-0 on another day.
Kasper Høgh could have scored a hat-trick; Yang, Sebastian Tounetki and Arne Engels missed good chances; meanwhile Callum McGregor struck the woodwork deep into injury time.
So, it was Benjamin Nygren’s header which proved the difference maker, last year’s top goal scorer getting off the mark early into the new campaign.
And the first matchday gave us Celtic fans plenty of talking points. So let’s delve into them.
Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers Centre Back Partnership Excels
Had it not been for Liam Scales’ two-match suspension, the Irishman would have likely paired Cameron Carter-Vickers from the start. Instead, with just one week of training under his belt since returning from the World Cup, Auston Trusty stepped in.
Throughout last season, The American frequently played on the right side to fill in for the injured Carter-Vickers. While he proved a reliable option, last night he reminded us all just how much more comfortable he is on his natural left side.
In possession, he showed composure under pressure, while defensively, he frequently bailed Celtic out from Dundee counter-attacks, tracking back and putting his speed to good use. It was reminiscent in many ways of what a Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt partnership looked like all those years ago. Trusty did the recovering, while Carter-Vickers showed great physicality both in tackling and in aerial defending.
Moreover, this provided tracking-back security from Trusty, giving Tierney a license to run forward, which was another positive from last night.
Kieran Tierney Provides Vintage Display
There were lots of questions about Kieran Tierney’s displays at times last season. While the Scottish left-back provided some really important moments at really crucial times, there was a sense that he had lost a yard of pace and was playing a more reserved role than during his first stint in Glasgow. With a full season under his belt, though, the signs that he has regained that aggressiveness and attacking intent are positive.
MON has always liked his fullbacks and wingbacks to be aggressive and get forward as much as possible. After a full pre-season training under the Northern Irishman, it seems that he has been given that freedom to release the shackles and play the role which earned him a £25 million move to Arsenal in the first place.
His assist for Nygren’s header was one of many terrific crosses throughout the night. Earlier, he floated a perfectly weighted ball for Engels, with the midfielder heading wide of the target. He also played a terrific pass for Nygren, although the Swede’s right effort was tame, hitting Høgh rather than the target.
Nygren Scores And Does a Whole Lot More
And speaking of Benjamin Nygren, his performance was another to admire from last night. As always, he showed great intelligence in his movement to get into the positions, consistently finding himself in space in the box. This can be seen in the first goal, where he peeled away from his man to have a free header.
Yet, his overall play in the midfield was tidy. During a first half in which McGregor and Engels were often playing passively, the creative burden was placed on the Swede. He took on the role with aplomb, creating one big chance and providing four key passes.
He’s a player who has split opinion during his time at Celtic, but with Engels and Hatate looking certain to leave, the club should be doing all they can to hold onto the 25-year-old.
Høgh Endures Frustrating Debut
Naturally, all eyes were on £12 million signing Kasper Høgh. After an excellent pre-season, Camilo Duran was moved out to the right wing to facilitate Høgh’s arrival. So, how did the big Dane do?
Overall, he disappointed. His touch was often loose while his finishing was poor. With 90 minutes on the park, he could have easily registered two goals to his name; ultimately it wasn’t to be.
Moreover, Duran looked out of place on the right-hand side; MON admitted as much, so it’ll be interesting to see how the team line-up next Sunday. You would expect Høgh to be given more games to bed in and hopefully find his feet, even if that’s at the expense of his Colombian teammate.
The 1st goal analyzed
Despite all the chances created, as mentioned Celtic only managed one goal all night. In many ways, it summed up the game well, with Tierney and Nygren at the attacking forefront.
Early into the second half, Celtic were vying for a first goal. Dundee had everyone back except Simon Murray and were looking to frustrate the Champions. Yang found himself at the edge of the box, but with a crowded defence he instead played to Tierney, he found himself in space.
Early into the second half, Celtic were vying for a first goal. Dundee had everyone back except Simon Murray and were looking to frustrate the Champions. Yang found himself at the edge of the box, but with a crowded defence he instead played to Tierney, he found himself in space.
Tierney played a composed first-time cross into the box where Nygren was standing unmarked.
And the man who scored 21 goals last season wasn’t going to spur up such an easy opportunity.
MON Comments
MON was pleased with the result but less so with the performance, speaking after last night’s clash.
He said: “I didn’t think we played particularly well for most of the game. We did enough to win. Despite that, we had some really great chances that maybe could have put the game to bed a lot earlier.
But overall, yeah, we were a bit rusty, I thought. I’m hoping it’s almost like a typical first game of the season for us. And I’m obviously hoping we’ll get better for next week.”
Asked about transfer updates, he said,
“I will speak to Michael tomorrow, tomorrow morning, see where we are. I just left, I spoke to him briefly today, but it was about just, let’s concentrate on the game tonight.
Tomorrow is another day.”
Player Ratings
Viljami Sinisalo - 7. Barely a save to make for the Finn the full night. At the end, when called upon, he made a smart stop from Ashley Hay’s header.
Alistair Johnston - 7 An overall fine performance from the Canadian right back on what might well be his last ever showing in the green and white hoops.
Cameron Carter-Vickers - 7.5 Provided the solidity from the right-hand side of defence that had been missing throughout last season.
Auston Trusty - 9 An immense display from his first start at left centre-back since last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final. Liam Scales has a battle on his hands to regain his place in the starting eleven.
Kieran Tierney - 8.5 A vintage performance from Tierney. Defensively, he was solid and in attack he took up dangerous positions and consistently crossed well. On another day he could have had three assists instead of just one.
Callum McGregor - 7 Frustratingly passive in the first half; however played with more directness and aggression in the second period. Came oh so close to a wonderful goal, with his right-footed effort clipping the post.
Arne Engels - 5.5 A mixed performance from the Belgian. At times he showed excellent vision and passing, while at other points his decision-making baffled.
Benjamin Nygren - 8.5 An outstanding display in possession. Not just his goal, but his overall link-up play and final third passing was a joy to watch.
Camilo Duran - 6 He showed some positive moments in wide positions, particularly in the second half with a beautiful turn in the box. However, it’s clear that he is being played out of position to make do for the lack of options out wide.
Kasper Høgh -5 A clunky performance up front on his debut. While he was clearly fouled and barely rewarded for a free kick, in the moments where he did find space he ultimately lacked composure.
Yang -7.5 An eventful if imperfect display. His tireless work ethic shone through, making nine recoveries and winning six ground duels. His ball carrying was also impressive as he linked up well with Tierney.
Looking Ahead
So next up for Celtic is a trip to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock. Neil McCann’s side lost on the opening day away to St Johnstone 4-3 and will be looking to get their first points on the board.
Before that, there remains intense speculation about the future of Engels and Johnston, while names such as Mika Baur, Gvidas Ginetis and Fares Ghedjemis circulate on the incoming front.