Kristoffer Ajer

Poor first half..

Much better second half..

 

Celtic assistant manager John Kennedy has been helping Kristoffer Ajer master the art of defending – but the Hoops coach is handy at dishing out life lessons as well.

A promising career cut brutally short by injury taught Kennedy to savour the magic moments in football because you never know when it might come to an abrupt halt.

It’s advice Ajer has taken to heart as well and he has soaked up every second at Celtic since the Scandinavian made the switch to Scotland as a 16-year-old midfielder.

Now a highly-rated centre-back, the Norway star has stockpiled silverware and become hot property at the back.

But there’s still something missing from his Parkhead box of priceless moments - the Champions League

Ajer’s played in the qualifiers but never the group stage – and he is determined to put that right this term.

He believes Kennedy can help him get there, as well as appreciating it all the more.

Ajer said: “John has been fantastic from the minute I came in. We’ve been working really close together after every single session, working on the defensive part of my game.

“He’s been helping me every single day and he’s been fantastic for me.

“I’ve not seen clips of him as a player but he keeps telling me that he was fantastic!


Every time I do something wrong he will show me and, to be fair, he has a great right foot so he shows me how it should be done. Then I try to learn from him.

“He hasn’t mentioned his performance in Barcelona yet but I know he was a great player who injured his knee which was sad.

“But the way he has been teaching me has been fantastic.

“His story shows you that you have to remember to enjoy every single part of your career.

That’s what you have to do as a Celtic player. There are always games coming up but it’s important to look back and really think about what you have achieved.

“I had so many great memories last year as part of the group but also as an individual.

“I look back on a great season for the club when we won the treble Treble but now we have to forget about that and look forward.”


Ajer only has eyes for Europe right now. The Champions League qualifiers get under way in Sarajevo next week and the big lad at the back is desperate to create more happy memories.

He said: “I actually haven’t played in the group stages yet so that’s something which would be a big achievement as well.

“I’ve been on the bench a few times but haven’t quite made it on to the park.


But it was still an incredible experience being that close. Celtic fans are the best in the world and when it’s an evening game against a big name there is nothing that can beat it.

“To sit on the bench was an incredible experience and I’m sure it’s a fantastic experience to play in too, so it would be great to qualify.

“The domestic trophies will always be big targets for us but we start the season off with the Champions League qualifier. For now we focus on that but as soon as the league starts that’s our main focus as well.

“There’s a lot of things you have to achieve at this club but that’s what makes it special.”

Ajer is determined to charge towards the groups but he knows the road is fraught with danger.

The defender was thrown in at the deep end in the qualifiers two years ago but then didn’t make the side and last year was a dramatic disappointment as the Hoops crashed out to AEK Athens.

It’s seat belts on time again from next week onwards.


Ajer said: “The qualifiers are high-pressure games. It’s a big, big aim for the club to reach the group stages.

“When you have to play eight games before that is tough but that’s our job and we have to cope with that. There will be tough moments along the way. We’re playing teams who have the same targets as us.

“We’ll play some really strong teams who have won the league in their countries.

“We were disappointed last year to lose to AEK Athens. We always want to go through so this year it’s definitely one of our mains targets.

“If you get through, you are playing against the best teams in the world and for young and experienced players that’s a
great experience, especially at Celtic Park.

“You don’t get a more unbelievable atmosphere than those nights. It’s simply fantastic.”

Ajer is expected to play a key role this term but there’s a new man in town at the back in fellow giant Christopher Jullien.


The pair are 6ft 5ins and while Ajer might not fancy a sideline in basketball, he reckons the new £7million arrival can help the Hoops hit new heights.

Ajer said: “I’m 1.97m so I don’t know if I’ll still be the tallest player in the team.

“I can’t play basketball so the height wouldn’t help us if we had a team! It’s a sport we don’t do in Norway – we go skiing!

Christopher will bring competition for places. That’s the way it is here.

"There will always be competition and a strong squad fighting every day to play. That’s nothing new here.

“Christopher is another experienced centre-half who will bring a lot of qualities to the team.

“We have so many good defenders. Jozo Simunovic was fantastic in the second half of last season and there are many top centre-halves. It’s always good to bring in even more quality into the dressing room.”

 

Most laughable booking you'll see..

Was booked for being fouled

Has a knack of just getting to the ball when it looks like it's getting away from him and being away..

Prefer him central than dragged out wide but he's such a top talent in full flow..

 

MOTM

 

Hes not a right back I dont think but does have good ability taking the ball forward.

 

What a player.

 

What we getting like as a support.
Not a mention on here in the game & sounds like he could be MOTM.
We like a good moan more than a good player.

 

If he was going to be here long term he should be captain.


Born leader.

 

love this bhoy and I called it last season or was it the season before a rolls royce of a player and growing in stature by the game.

 

I was impressed with him tonight, more especially in the second half. A great talent to watch.

 

Tierney is next up

 

Never said he wasn’t chief.

 

I meant he should be over Ajer mate

 

KA: “There’s always something magical about playing European nights at Celtic Park so we are all very much looking forward to it.

KA: “We expect another tough game. They played a good game over there, but we came away with a strong result. We still need to do a job tomorrow night.

KA: “We want #UCL football every single year and that’s our main target. We take it one game at a time and hopefully we can do it.”

KA: “
@Chri6ViF
has been really good at training and on Saturday. That’s how it is to play for Celtic, there are high quality players in every position. You have to be on the top of your game every single week

KA: “I will always play where the gaffer puts me. That’s always going to be my thinking. I’ll always try and do my best wherever I am on the pitch. If I’m asked to play a different position, I’ll do that.”

KA: “I want to develop so many parts of my game. I think I’ve developed a lot since I’ve come in, but there’s loads more I want to improve.”


KA: “The gaffer has been really good to me and has talked to me about what I can improve on. I work with John Kennedy after every session, and I’m enjoying every single moment here.”

 

Him and Jullien at the back will be solid, hopefully lead to more goals from set pieces as well!

 

He handles the press very comfortably. A lot of little gems but when he said, "What has been said between me and the manager will obviously be kept between us," I had to smile.