'Best team': Celtic message to Hearts and Rangers is crystal clear as Wilfried Nancy prepares to jet in

Benjamin Nygren believes Celtic remain “the best team” in Scotland as the defending Premiership champions close in on a new manager.

Celtic are currently seven points adrift of leaders Hearts after playing 11 rounds of fixtures in the league, although they do have a game in hand over the Jambos, and are five points clear of Hibs and Rangers in joint-third. They were rocked last month when Brendan Rodgers resigned as manager and Martin O’Neill took over in an interim capacity.

The Parkhead side’s search for a permanent successor to Rodgers appears to be coming to a head, with Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy set to jet into the UK and hold final talks with the Celtic hierarchy. The new boss will be swiftly tasked with eating into Hearts’ lead, starting next weekend with an away match at St Mirren.

Benjamin Nygren, centre, believes Celtic's class will tell | SNS Group

Swedish midfielder Nygren signed for Celtic during the summer and expressed sadness at Rodgers leaving. However, he feels the club will be able to “turn the negativity around” when the international break ends.

Speaking ahead of Sweden’s World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Switzerland, Nygren said of his time at Celtic: “There has been a lot of noise around the club, but Celtic are a very big club and there are an extremely large number of fans who care with all their hearts.

“We missed out on the Champions League place and have lost a few games, and then Brendan Rodgers resigned, but for me personally, it has still been good. That's just how it is when you are at a big club because so many people care about it.

“I think that's also the beauty of the sport and that we have such a large following who love Celtic. That's why it's a great honour to represent that club.

‘Sad that Rodgers left’

“I was sad that Brendan Rodgers left because I liked him and think he is a really good manager. He was a big reason why I went to Celtic. I got a really good feeling for him, but I have had a lot of managers in my career and I will probably have even more. I focus on what I can do and contribute what I can on the pitch.

“And the reason I believe we will turn the negativity around is because we are the best team in the country.”

Nygren is due to report back to Celtic next week alongside a host of other players on international duty - and they may be welcomed by a new manager after MLS side Columbus gave Nancy permission to hold official talks with the Scottish champions.

Nancy, 48, has been in charge of the US-based side for three years after a successful spell at CF Montreal. He won the MLS Cup last season and guided Columbus to the final of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Born in the French port of Le Havre, former defender Nancy is understood to be en route to the UK to conclude negotiations with Celtic. He remains the heavy favourite to replace Rodgers.