So another man has decided what’s best for a young footballer he pertains to represent the best interests of.
Another man has decided what would be the best path for a young player’s continued education in the game and pretty much decided that this player has learned all he can at Celtic Park.
These last few months have shown that there are still several rough edges to Kristoffer Ajer’s game that still have to be panned out, but this man obviously knows better than the player himself and has decided that Kris has now outgrown Celtic and will need to move on.
What planet do these agents live on?
I still believe that Kieran Tierney can be one of the top full-backs in world football, but did this agent not see the memo that a big money move doesn’t guarantee instant success?
Agents are a necessary evil, but this constant pursuit of money is tearing the game apart. There are top quality footballers failing to get regular games because they chose big money instead of sporting opportunity.
If big Kris Ajer feels he can be a first-team regular in the EPL, then good luck to him, but you would have thought he might have learned something from Filip Benkovic?
Wise words from Spherical Planet, a well-known poster on our sister forum Celtic Noise after the player’s agent has been quoted in today’s papers saying that the Norwegian international defender, who has two years remaining on his contract at Celtic will leave this summer.
His timing could not have been worse and you would admire Neil Lennon if he decided to go with a back three on Sunday of Bitton, Jullien and Simunovic and left Ajer sitting on the bench reflecting on his advisor’s role in the Celtic team selection for the Glasgow Derby against the Rangers.
Ajer is 21, he has been given a tremendous opportunity at Celtic. Like all young players he has his highs and lows and as Spherical Planet hinted at above, he has not been at his best in recent months, despite grabbing one or two goals, including that crucial winner up at Pittodrie.
Ajer’s agent is Tore Pedersen and he choose this week to talk about his client leaving Celtic in the summer, although that is a decision principally for Celtic as the player has two more years on his current deal.
Here’s what Pedersen has been quoted saying in Scottish Sun and also Daily Record.
“He will not extend his contract with Celtic and will leave this summer.
“There are several clubs who are interested, but I can’t go into their names. There are many who have followed him for a long period.
“There are also clubs who would like to have him, but who cannot afford it. There is generally great interest in Kristoffer.”
Ajer’s last comments on his future came back in January when he indicated that he was more than happy to stay at Celtic. “I’m really happy now, I’ve got two and a half years at Celtic and I’m happy with it. I love playing for Celtic.
“All talk of contracts is between my agent and the club and I’m just concentrated on day-to-day work and trying to be the best footballer I can.”
The Pedersen quotes to me suggests that our old manager Brendan Rodgers is plotting a summer signing and the agent is simply putting the ball in motion. That though will simply alert Peter Lawwell – a man known to hold a grudge when financial matters are involved, see our article on Scott Allan from yesterday for a recent example of that.
Pedersen will inevitably read this, as he will be evaluating the response and the reaction to his planned intervention ahead of a crucial match for Celtic. Our advice to him is to tell Brendan to expect to pay a premium, a big premium if he wants Peter to agree to sell anyone to Leicester City. Got it? Good.
“I think Ajer could go on to be a top defender, only 21 plenty of time, but he’s not there yet, too many brain farts when things get tricky. If he moved to the EPL or some such he’d be understudy to the back up to the second choice, no game time = end of development.
“I find it strange that his agent is clearly trying to attract interest in him at this stage of a season, can’t imagine Celtic are too impressed by it,” another well-known member Hoopy427, added on Celtic Noise.
Revealed – The Celtic Supporters behind the plane over Ibrox | The Celtic Star https://t.co/HOVd7pAhuz
— The Celtic Star Editor (@CelticStarMag) March 11, 2020
When David Murray banned Celtic fans from Ibrox | The Celtic Star https://t.co/wKuowATKLK
— The Celtic Star Editor (@CelticStarMag) March 11, 2020
Boozers, Celtic on the wrong end of Refereeing Controversies and the SFA | The Celtic Star https://t.co/eCDoOWYV83
— The Celtic Star Editor (@CelticStarMag) March 11, 2020
Support Celtic Youth Development
Help raise money for Celtic Youth Development by joining the £1 weekly lottery and you could win up to £25,000 – just click on any one of the photographs below to join. Lots of our readers have already done so and they’re now doing their bit to help fund Celtic Youth Development that can deliver the stars of tomorrow and beyond. And you might even win a few bob too! And a special thank you to all The Celtic Star readers who have already signed up and are now supporting youth development to give us the Celtic Stars of the future…
