CELTIC’S Norwegian star Kristoffer Ajer has been praised ahead of tonight’s 2nd leg of the Champions League qualifier against Rosenborg, by his manager Brendan Rodgers.
“I think he’ll go to the very highest of the game. He did very well out on loan with Kilmarnock and then came back to us last year and did very well.
“He’s quick, he’s fast and he’s technically very good. He’s very bright and he’s a quick learner. He’s a real leader for a young guy and he’s only going to get better and better. He’s a joy to work with. He’s a good guy, clever boy and his life’s devoted to football.”
And the Celtic boss also took time out to praise another Celtic central defender, Belgium World Cup star Dedryck Boyata.
After his fortnight beach holiday in Greece Boyata was back at Lennoxtown yesterday and he’ll be pushing for a starting place perhaps as soon as this Saturday’s league opener against Livingston.
“It is great to have Dedryck back. He had an excellent World Cup and gained valuable experience. He looks fit and strong but, of course, he just needs a bit of time.
“I had a long chat with Dedryck on Monday and he is in a good place.
“We want to keep him for as long as we can. That is important, but my priority is getting him fit and back into the team again because he is a top-class player.”
Boyata is entering the final year of his contract at Celtic and has been the subject of transfer speculation linking him with a move to Italy (Lazio), France (Lyon) and England (Fulham).
It was thought that Celtic would sell IF the Belgian indicated that he did not wish to sign a new deal at Paradise – that however seems NOT to be the case, in two ways.
Firstly Rodgers has hardened his attitude and will hold onto Boyata rather the follow the same route out of the club that Stuart Armstrong used. If that means he leaves for free that so be it. It’s Brendan’s call.
Secondly Boyata said just before leaving for the World Cup that he was planning to stay. His agent though could have found himself busier than expected fielding incoming calls after Boyata played in the 3 wins for Belgium in the World Cup group stages.
People were putting two and two together, there were tweets suggesting £50k per week wages on offer and so on, how these folk had access to any offers Boyata’s agent may have received has never been explained.
Turns out he came back to lennoxtown, had a chat with the gaffer and is looking like he’s happy to stay.
Get it sorted Celtic!
