Celtic’s Kristoffer Ajer has really emerged in 2019.
Celtic may still need to sign a new centre back this summer, but the rise of Krisoffer Ajer has certainly eased fears at the back ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Bhoys will see Dedryck Boyata move on when his contract expires, whilst Filip Benkovic will return to Leicester City when his loan ends, meaning Celtic will lose two centre backs without receiving a penny.
One or maybe two centre backs will be needed, and whilst Jozo Simunovic should be kept, it’s a chance for Celtic to give Ajer a starring role.
A £500,000 addition from IK Start in 2016 (Daily Record), Ajer was Ronny Deila’s final signing as Celtic boss, having emerged as a wonderkid in their native Norway.
Initially a box-to-box midfielder, Ajer has been converted into a centre back, and it’s been a masterstroke, not only because of his huge 6ft 5in frame.
Ajer, 21, has the size, pace and technical ability to become an absolute star at centre back, and he has been a rock in the Celtic defence in 2019, leading to huge plaudits.
Still, Ajer hasn’t been nominated for the Young Player of the Year Award, which has left many stunned, including ex-Celtic captain Stephen McManus.
McManus suggested to the Glasgow Evening Times that Ajer is the perfect modern-day defender, and is now becoming the dominance force in both boxes for Celtic, having developed rapidly after a loan spell at Kilmarnock.
“Kristoffer has been terrific and the modern-day defender,” said McManus. “He is one of those guys at our club when you forget how young they are. He steps into the game well, picks passes and he is becoming the dominant one in both boxes,.
“He had to earn his stripes on loan at Kilmarnock and I think that helped him. I believe the quicker you expose young players to first team football the better. If that is at Celtic, or on loan, we need to expose them to senior football as soon as we can,” he added.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
