Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ALBIAN COULD BE ON MARKET
ALBIAN AJETI has just two months to save his Celtic career.
The Swiss striker’s compatriot and former Parkhead ace Ramon Vega believes it’s now or never for the hitman.
Ajeti has been one of many frustrations of the campaign for the deposed champions.
Signed for £5 million with high hopes, the international started impressively. Five goals in his first six Premiership matches capped a hugely-positive beginning.
However, since a hamstring injury broke the initial run, it’s fallen apart.
Ajeti has scored just one goal in six months. He hasn’t been sighted in over a month and didn’t even make the squad for the last game against Rangers.
Vega (inset) said: “When we talked about Ajeti at the start of the season, he had not been a full-time or regular player at West Ham.
“The form in Basle was there, but having not played much in England, it was time for him to show again what he had done in Switzerland
“He has missed the opportunity so far to show himself as the one who is able to be the main striker for the club.
“He now has to do it. He has to perform because that is the situation that he has placed himself into. If he does that, he can still justify he is good enough for Celtic.
“It will be difficult for him, but I hope that he can do it and it is going to take an enormous effort. At this moment, it doesn’t seem to be going in his direction and he has to change that.
“This is now a vital time for everyone. Winning the league has gone, there’s a gap to be bridged and it’s now about the motivations until the end of the season and what is the future going to look like.
“Things are going to change at the club and Ajeti has a chance now to show he should stay. There is a chance for him to build momentum and show himself. To show why he was bought.”