Benjamin Nygren was allowed a breather on Wednesday after his international exploits, with the Celtic midfielder confirming Martin O’Neill gave him the day off.
It has been a turbulent campaign for Sweden. Jon Dahl Tomasson was moved on and Graham Potter came in last October, tasked with steadying things and dragging them through. Potter has done just that.
Sweden saw off Ukraine 3-1 in the first play-off tie, with Viktor Gyökeres grabbing a hat-trick. Nygren set one up on the night, making his mark in a big game.
They followed that with a chaotic 3-2 win over Poland. Gyökeres struck late to settle it, and again Nygren was involved, registering another assist when it mattered.
Speaking to Goteborgs-Posten, the Celtic man did not hide what it meant.
“Magical! It’s something we’ve all dreamed of. We’ve fought so hard for this, so it was just magical to celebrate with everyone.
“Absolutely wonderful. We’re not just winning as a team, but for all of Sweden. We’re taking all of Sweden to the World Cup.”
There was still time for a lighter moment when asked about his midweek absence from Lennoxtown.
“Haha, yes!”
For Nygren, though, there is no time to dwell on it.
He returns to a Celtic side with work still to do domestically, and attention now turns quickly to Sunday’s trip to Dens Park.
Celtic’s top-scorer this season will have hopes of adding to his 19 goals for the season. Now is the perfect time to take that international form back to club duty.
It is a 4.30pm kick-off, and there is little-to-no margin for error.
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