BBC commentator blown away by Celtic rising star, claims he could be key to Rodgers XI
BBC Sportsound commentator Rob Maclean has admitted that he has been blown away by the rapid progression of Celtic enforcer Kristoffer Ajer in recent weeks.
Ajer, 19, has started four of the last six Premiership matches and appears to have moved above Jozo Simunovic in the pecking orders at centre-back following the 4-0 defeat to Hearts earlier this month.
Simunovic and centre-back partner Dedryck Boyata are widely seen to be the first choice duo in Brendan Rodgers’ starting XI, but Ajer has recently broke that mould and Maclean has claimed that could become a regular thing in the future.
“Ajer has always been ahead of the game,” he said on the BBC Sport website. “At 17 he signed for Celtic. More and more, that looks like one of the smartest moves made by then manager Ronny Deila.
“Ajer was toughened up with a loan move to Kilmarnock for the second half of last season when he continued his graduation from midfielder to centre back.
“That’s a problem position at Celtic and Brendan Rodgers has picked the Scandinavian teenager in his team four times already this month.
“The six foot five Ajer made a big impression in Saturday’s 3-0 home win against Aberdeen and he could become increasingly difficult to leave out.”
Ajer has made 10 appearances across all competitions for Celtic this season and appears like he is finally get a good run in the first-team after he was shipped out on loan to Kilmarnock last term.
The Norwegian rising star was signed from IK Start in 2016 and was tipped for a big future for those in Scandinavian football.
He could get a big chance to impress next week when Rangers travel to Parkhead in the final game before the winter break.
However Rodgers is perhaps most likely to recall the experience Simunovic to his side for the all-Glasgow showdown as he looks to cap off 2017 in style.
In other Celtic news, Alan Brazil has claimed how the Bhoys can silence their English critics.
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