Celtic beat Rangers 2-1 at Parkhead on Sunday afternoon.
Celtic have one hand on the Scottish Premiership title after beating Old Firm rivals Rangers 2-1 on Sunday afternoon in a dramatic victory.
Understandably, goalscorers Odsonne Edouard and James Forrest have earned huge praise having scored the goals in the win, especially as Edouard set up Forrest’s late winner.
However, Celtic’s top performer on the day was defender Kristoffer Ajer, who once again showed his quality and huge potential with a superb showing.
The Norwegian was far more solid and reliable than Dedryck Boyata in the Celtic defence, and pulled off a stunning block to prevent Joe Worrall from making the game 2-2 – a block which Ajer celebrated as if he’d scored a goal.
That has certainly endeared him even more to Celtic fans, and two departed Bhoys men do deserve some thanks as Ajer begins to show that he can become a real star in the Celtic defence.
Firstly, Ronny Deila. Often mocked, Deila completed one of his finest deals by making Ajer his final ever Celtic signing in 2016, using his knowledge of Norwegian football to secure a bargain.
The other man is – begrudgingly, it must be said – Brendan Rodgers. Ajer was a box-to-box midfielder in Norway, but Rodgers saw the potential for Ajer to become a centre back. So far, that decision looks inspired, and whilst Celtic fans are more than entitled to ignore any mention of Rodgers after his move to Leicester, he did play a key part in Ajer’s development with that change.
Already a Celtic and Norway regular, it’s easy to forget Ajer is still just 20. He’s a giant at 6ft 5in tall, strong, quick for his size and more than capable on the ball. If he produces more performances like he did on Sunday, Ajer will become a sensation in defence, just as Virgil van Dijk did for the Bhoys.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
