Celtic’s Albian Ajeti – Swiss striker supposedly with a nose for goal

Celtic striker Albian Ajeti has been speaking to the media regarding his recall to the Switzerland squad for their upcoming double header against Northern Ireland and Lithuania, explaining how special it is to be back playing international football and also strangely suggesting a potential partnership up front with theRangers flop Cedric Itten.

The Celtic striker, who has one goal against Iceland in 10 caps for his country, said: “It’s a special feeling for me to be back in the international scene. There’s a great atmosphere here and for me, it’s nice to see some familiar faces again.

: Albian Ajeti of Celtic celebrates a goal during the UEFA Europa League, Group G, football match played between Real Betis and Celtic FC at Benito Villamarin stadium. Photo Joaquin Corchero

“I’m delighted Cedric has been called up too. We are both predatory strikers with a nose for scoring goals. Hopefully, we can get the chance to play together in the qualifiers coming up,” Ajeti said, as reported by Daily Record.

Predatory striker with a nose for goal? He definitely talks a good game it’s just a pity that so far Celtic fans haven’t seen him prove it on the pitch. With the way he has been playing the last few matches I think that most of us are quite surprised he’s managed to win a call up to the Switzerland squad, who are currently ranked 15th best team in the world just behind Germany in the FIFA rankings. Then again if Cedric Itten is making the squad they must have serious problems in the striking department.

Albian Ajeti scores. Photo Jeff Holmes

One person who is also surprised by the call up is fellow Swiss and ex-Celt player Ramon Vega. Since the departure of Dom McKay, Vega has actually been touting himself as a potential candidate to replace the former Chief Executive. According to Scottish Sun, Vega said: “I am very surprised that Ajeti was called up and I really can’t understand it.

“He actually only plays at Celtic because the manager has no other options due to many injuries. And he wasn’t really convincing. I see little dynamism, little speed in him – I only see a few predatory qualities, which he does too seldom.

“I don’t know what he stands for as a striker. I think Royal Antwerp’s Michael Frey, who is quick and also scores, would have been the better choice.”

Celtic v Dundee United – Albian Ajeti battle for the ball. Photo Jane Barlow

I have a feeling after seeing these comments Albian will be hoping Vega doesn’t get anywhere near the Chief Executive role at our club.

Another pundit who has been hugely unimpressed by Ajeti lately has been Pat Bonner. Speaking via the BBC Sportsound programme about the match on Sunday against Aberdeen, the former Celtic goalkeeper said: “Ajeti, I don’t think he touched the ball for the full period (he was on for). I don’t think he touched the ball once. He had one sort of wrestle with the centre-half and that was it.

“Whether that was down to a lack of movement or whether that’s not Celtic getting balls into areas he can run onto, it’s incredible a striker for Celtic not touching the ball. I would love to see the stat on it.

“Again I looked at Ajeti today up front and he’s just a completely different player than Kyogo. There was a couple of times Kyogo was looking for that little pass, that penetrating pass. There was one where McGregor got (close) that didn’t happen for him. The next McGregor tried him again. At least he’s threatening the back of centre-halves, whilst Ajeti is going on and just standing in front of them, making it easier for centre-halves.”

Albian Ajeti of Celtic during the UEFA Europa League, Group G, football match played between Real Betis and Celtic FC at Benito Villamarin stadium. Photo Joaquin Corchero

I have to totally agree with Pat Bonner here. The lack of movement from Ajeti is worrying. I have commented before on the fact that I think he is a striker who prefers playing up front in a two man partnership, his comments earlier about hoping to get the chance to play up front for Switzerland with Cedric Itten also indicates this.

I think the style of football Ange plays will be troublesome for Ajeti in the future. Kyogo suits the style so well because he is full of movement, always looking to find space, drifting in between the defensive lines. Ajeti is less mobile and seems to struggle with the pace of Celtic’s build up play often being caught flat footed when the ball is played into him.

With Giorgos Giakoumakis spending the international break at Lennoxtown working his way to peak fitness I have a feeling Ajeti may struggle to for game time on his return.

Conall McGinty

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About Author

Hailing from Cushendall in the North of Ireland my formative years were spent watching Celtic during our barren spell through the 90's which meant I have appreciated our recent trophy-laden spell even more. Favourite matches home and away I've attended has to be beating Man Utd 1-0 at Celtic Park and being with my 2 brothers watching us beat Lazio 2-1 in Rome. Best away day experience? Has to be Munich with friends from Coatbridge...what a few days!

2 Comments

  1. Gerard F Reilly on

    If ajeti is classed as a football striker, then my granny is capable of coming out of retirement for the perpetual world cup with a hat trick against Brazil or Argentina in group stages then whacking a four timer in the final

  2. I have been a Celtic supporter for almost 70 years and I have never seen a worse player . How does this guy ever get to play in a Celtic jersey ? and yet he comes on week after week to the derision of the Celtic support . He must be , ” Blackmailing “, someone in the Celtic backroom staff .
    Tear-up his contract before we become the Laughing Stock of World Football !!!!!!!