Benjamin Nygren celebrates after scoring during the match between Celtic and Dundee on August 3, 2026
Benjamin Nygren celebrates after scoring during the match between Celtic and Dundee on August 3, 2026(Image: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
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Everton should also take Benjamin Nygren from Celtic as they try and thrash out a deal with the Scottish champions for Alistair Johnston reckons a Blues FA Cup winning hero.
The ECHO understands that Johnston has told Celtic that he wants to join Everton with O’Neill revealing in his pre-match press conference on Friday that David Moyes had telephoned to inform him that they were preparing a move. Despite Hill Dickinson Stadium chiefs continuing to try and work on a deal, the two clubs are yet to agree a price for the Canada World Cup star.
When Moyes finished his first 11-year spell in charge of Everton he had Seamus Coleman at the peak of his powers and Leighton Baines has his two first-choice full-back options and Anders Limpar believes addressing that area of the field could be a significant factor in improving the team.
Speaking courtesy of SveaCasino, Limpar, who was part of the Blues’ 1995 team that defeated Manchester United to lift their last major trophy to date, told the ECHO: “All through the years, through Everton’s history, the club has always had a good left-back and a good right-back. Seamus Coleman has been at the club for almost 20 years.
“We had Andy Hinchcliffe and Matt Jackson and so many other really, really good full-backs, and so that is a position Everton have to be strong in, and we have to buy the right players.
“Everton aren’t a club who can go out and buy whoever they want but we are a solid team that needs a new right-back, along with a number nine. Then we will have a complete team that can push for sixth or seventh or higher from there, and that’s not bad.”
Johnston played in Celtic’s 1-0 victory over Dundee on Monday night as they started the defence of their title, with a representative of Everton watching on in the Parkhead stands. However, it was the match-winner and fellow Swede who caught Limpar’s eye and he reckons the Blues should also make a move for his compatriot who netted 21 times last season.
Now 60, the former winger said: “I like Benjamin Nygren a lot. He only played a couple of games for Sweden at the World Cup, but he would be a very good player in a Premier League side after what he’s shown at Celtic, he can make that step now.
“The Scottish league is very tough and he has proven he can handle it. It’s probably even tougher than the Premier League when it comes to the tackles.
“It would be good for Sweden too if somebody had a go at signing him this summer. Maybe Aston Villa or Newcastle United?
“I think if Jack Grealish doesn’t come back to Everton, Benjamin would be a good replacement for him as well. He can score goals and create goals too, I think he would score 15 goals in the Premier League playing for a club like Everton.”
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