Celtic’s Kristoffer Ajer has shone for Norway recently.
Former Celtic star Vidar Riseth has told The Record that Kristoffer Ajer is set to be a world-class defender.
The Norway centre-back dazzled in his country’s 2-1 defeat by Spain in Euro 2020 qualifying on Saturday, successfully shackling Alvaro Morata who barely had a kick.
The Celtic stalwart, signed by Ronny Deila a number of months before the Norwegian’s departure in 2016, is still only 20 years old and it certainly seems as if he has a huge future – but not necessarily in Scotland, according to Riseth.
Riseth believes that it’s only a matter of time before Ajer winds up in the Premier League, where he believes that it’ll be even easier for the 6’5 giant.
He told The Record: “When he was young in Norway he was a midfield but he is a defender now. He won’t play midfielder again but he is going to be a world class defender.
“He has every quality you want in a modern defender. Kris is strong, he is so good in possession and he is always calm on the ball. He’s a tough guy as well.
“I think he will end up in English Premier League or the Bundesliga in maybe two years. He can easily play at that level. It’s funny, he will probably look even better in those leagues because they get more time on the ball.”
With Celtic set to lose loanee Filip Benkovic and Dedryck Boyata on a Bosman this summer, it must be so reassuring for Celtic to know that they have Ajer. If they didn’t, the Bhoys would’ve had to spent a lot of money on two exceptional centre-halves, but Ajer’s presence suggests that he’ll be a first-team regular next term, regardless who’s in charge.
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