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‘We are big rivals now’: Celtic newboy comments on Rangers compatriot

Albian Ajeti of FC Basel during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between FC Basel and Manchester City at St. Jakob-Park on Fe...
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Switzerland’s forward Albian Ajeti eyes the ball during the Euro 2020 qualifying football match between Switzerland and Gibraltar, at the Tourbillon stadium in Sion, on September 8, 2019. (… (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

Celtic striker Albian Ajeti has told The Scottish Sun that he considers his compatriot and Rangers newboy Cedric Itten a rival now.

Rangers transfer

Rangers recently signed Itten from St Gallen in the summer transfer window, as Steven Gerrard’s side plan to stop bitter Old Firm rivals Celtic from winning the Scottish Premiership title for the 10th season in a row.

The 23-year-old striker has arrived at Rangers with a good reputation and will be looking to cement his place in the Gers’ starting lineup in the coming weeks.

Celtic transfer

Meanwhile, Ajeti has joined Celtic from Premier League club West Ham United.

The 23-year-old struggled to make a huge impact at the Hammers this past season, and the striker will be determined to hit the ground running at the Glasgow giants.

Ajeti and Itten are teammates in the Switzerland national football team and were at Basel together, and the Celtic striker has said that he now considers his compatriot as rival.

Photo by STEFAN WERMUTH/AFP via Getty Images

Rivals now

Ajeti told The Scottish Sun when asked if he will speak to Itten: “I don’t think so.

“We’ve been good friends in the academy but this is it, we are big rivals now. But this is football.”

Meanwhile, Frank McAvennie believes that Ajeti did not get a chance at West Ham during the 2019-20 campaign.

McAvennie played for both West Ham and Celtic as a striker.

Former West Ham United Football Club player Frank McAvennie speaks at a pre-match event at the East Ham Working Men’s Club in Upton Park on December 3, 2016 in London, England. West Ham… (Jack Taylor/Getty Images)