Rodgers: Celtic to complete loan deal for teenage midfielder
By Will Butcher
Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Celtic teen Kristoffer Ajer will join Kilmarnock on loan for the rest of the season.
The 18-year-old midfielder has made just one senior appearance for Celtic in the Champions League qualifying stages against Lincoln Red Imps back in July.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Rodgers revealed Ajer will remain on loan with Lee Clark’s side until the end of the season as he looks to give the teenager regular first-team football.
“Kris will go to Kilmarnock,” Rodgers declared.” There were a couple of options but it’s good for him to play there.
“He has settled in here so he can go and play there for the rest of the season where we can keep a close eye on him and take him back.”
The two-time Norway Under-19 international has failed to have any impact on the first team since his move from Norwegian outfit Start in the summer.
With the likes of captain Scott Brown, Israel international Nir Bitton, former Dundee United ace Stuart Armstrong and new £3million signing Kouassi Eboue ahead of Ajer in the pecking order, a loan move was set up for the youngster.
The 6ft 4in colossus, who can play at centre-back and holding midfield as well as his preferred box-to-box midfield role, is expected to have a bright future at Parkhead.
Football Insider verdict:
A loan move for Ajer is just what Celtic’s number 35 needed, as being a regular in the Hoops’ youth team is not going to continue his development any further. After breaking through into Start’s first team in the Norwegian Premier League, regular senior football is what is needed for Ajer to further his development and maximise his potential. Hopefully, Celtic will see Ajer star in Kilmarnock’s midfield during the second half of the season, allowing Ajer to return a better player in the summer ahead of the 2017-18 campaign in which the Norwegian wonderkid could play some part. With a contract until 2020, a permanent move away from the Hoops is very unlikely at this stage.
In other Celtic transfer news, Rodgers has given an update on the future of this in-demand duo.
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