Celtic renew hostilities with their local rivals this weekend.
Kristoffer Ajer has told The Glasgow Evening Times that he sat in with Celtic fans during the Hoops’ win at Rangers in September, but is gearing up for an even better view when the team travel to Ibrox on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers’s side beat the Gers – then under Pedro Caixinha – earlier this season when the 19-year-old was on the periphery of the Northern Irishman’s plans.
But with Celtic heading to Ibrox again this weekend, Ajer is now a first-team regular and the Norwegian stalwart – signed by Ronny Deila – is fully aware of the atmosphere on the blue half of Glasgow during an Old Firm encounter, having watched the last visit as a fan.
“You need to have the right mentality to play in those games,” Ajer, who faced Graeme Murty’s side in December at Parkhead, told The Glasgow Evening Times. “You need to be focused. You need to focus on the pitch – and not everything else around it.
“It will be a tough match at Ibrox and it is a big game for both clubs. I travelled there the last time but I wasn’t in the squad. I sat in with the Celtic fans and it was a good experience.
“We won 2-0, it was a good result – but I wasn’t singing. I am still trying to learn the songs. Starting the last game against Rangers was a big moment for me. We kept a clean sheet and did pretty well defensively.”
Ajer is a huge talent and another excellent showing this weekend would certainly enhance the excitement surrounding his potential.
He could have the likes of Jason Cummings and Alfredo Morelos to combat, but the youngster seems a confident lad and he is unlikely to be daunted by the prospect of facing the in-form Gers duo.
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