Ajer: Ajax a Bhoys’ own story

CELTIC’S Kristoffer Ajer claims Ajax’s stunning rout of Real Madrid offers Euro inspiration to the Hoops.

The Dutch side were sensational as they won 4-1 in the Bernabeu to reach the last eight of the Champions League.

Ajax tore down the spending myth and, having faced the Amsterdam side in both the Champions and Europa League over the past six years, Ajer reckons it offers the Hoops motivation for the future.

The Norway defender said: “To have so many young players producing such a fine performance against a team that’s won the Champions League for the last three years was really impressive.

“It shows if you have a good structure for a number of years you can deliver good results.

“We can use that to inspire us because we have a good pathway for our academy players.

“If you build up the way Celtic have been doing and the way Ajax have done, you can create a system where you’re not only selling great players but bringing really good ones through that you can keep.

“Some excellent players have come through our youth system recently to play in the first team.”

Ajer accepts he could face extra responsibility in the near future at Celtic Park.

With Dedryck Boyata out of contract in the summer and set to leave and Filip Benkovic due to be reunited with Brendan Rodgers when he returns to Leicester after his loan spell, the 20-year-old could be a cornerstone for the backline going forward.

However, Ajer is ready and said: “I’ve played a lot of games here now and it’s such a massive club. I’m developing in every game. I’ve grown a lot, not only ability wise but in terms of leadership and taking a role.” FRANK LAMPARD has launched an extraordinary rant at Derby’s “doom and gloom merchants”.

The Rams boss hit out after his side came from behind to beat Wigan 2-1 following a brilliant acrobatic equaliser from sub Mason Bennett.

It leaves County level on points with sixth-placed Bristol City, who have a better goal difference, in the race for promotion.

But Lampard (above) was fuming with Derby colleagues who were quick to dismiss their prospects after four successive defeats in all competitions.

The side’s slump included a 4-0 thrashing at Aston Villa last Saturday and the Chelsea legend stormed: “This club absolutely wallows in doom and gloom in different departments.

“There are some negative people around, very close around the club, that shouldn’t be like that.

“How quickly some people are doom merchants saying we are finished.

“I am not going to name names. I am talking about people who are in and around the club, who all of a sudden go negative straightaway.

“It is very easy if you are in and around the place to just be negative and it can’t be the way.

“It is trying to make sure as a squad and a staff that we don’t suck that in too much.

“I don’t care, they are not

JAAP STAM will become the new head coach of Feyenoord from next season. The former Manchester United defender (right) has signed a two-year contract and will replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who is leaving at the end of this campaign after four years in charge at the Rotterdam club. Stam will continue in his role as head coach at Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle until the end of the current campaign. The 46-year-old, who led Reading to the 2016 Championship play-offs, said: “I really enjoy PEC Zwolle, but if the opportunity arises to work at a club like Feyenoord, you have to seriously think about it.” TURMOIL Bolton fans want Anderson out of their club

INSPIRED Kris Ajer