ZENIT v CELTIC
KRISTOFFER AJER reckons Celtic didn’t just have a back five against Zenit at Parkhead last week – they had a back 60,005.
The Norwegian defender believes the incredible backing inspired the rearguard to keep a clean sheet and allow the attackers to secure a memorable first-leg lead going to Russia.
He knows Celtic will pretty much have to go it alone out there for the rematch with only around 500 hardy punters making the 1300-mile trek to the former Soviet Union.
But Ajer is convinced the side can do their travelling faithful proud by handling the heat in the bitterly cold Baltic port.
The 19-year-old insists Celts are capable of throwing up a green and white Iron Curtain but also believes they can stun Zenit with an away goal to set up a spot in the last 16 of the Europa League for the first time in 14 years.
Celtic jet out tomorrow and Ajer said: “It was amazing to play on one of these great European nights. Celtic fans are the best in the world. When you play here in front of 60,000 they back you up so much it’s unbelievable.
“We had 12 minutes at the end of the game to hold out but they helped get us over the line.
“The positive is we’ve shown we can defend even if they put us under pressure. We have no fear about that.
“We’re travelling with the aim of going through. The tie is still in the balance. In these games, it’s still very open.
“They can get an early goal and then we are back at 1-1.
“But we’ll go there focused. The key is thinking it’s still 0-0, knowing we have to perform to our best levels again. If we do that we have a great chance.
“If you score away from home having not lost one in the first game, they need three. So we’ll try to perform at the same level and get another good result.”
Ajer was one of just a handful players who also faced St Johnstone – and one of the few in the makeshift line-up who got pass marks in the 0-0 draw.
The domestic dust-up fell in between the two Euro clashes and no one at Celtic Park was in any doubt about the main goal. The Zenit display was the benchmark and it will take an even greater performance to get the job done.
Ajer dismissed suggestions the Russians were undercooked after coming out of their winter break but expects them to be a different prospect to the side faced in Glasgow.
He said: “I don’t think they were rusty. We pressed the game really well. They gave us a really good fight.
“It was just that we played very well. We were up for the game. It was a great performance and we deserved to win but we know they can hurt us in St Petersburg.
“It was a great result in the first leg. To get a clean sheet at Celtic Park before the return was important too.
“It has put us in a strong position. We pressed the game well from the top of the park.
“Moussa held the ball up really well which made it easier to get out as a team. We controlled the game because of that. If we do the same we have a great chance of getting to the next round.”
Ajer was converted from a midfielder by Brendan Rodgers last term but his performance against Zenit suggested he has a bright future at centre-back.
It’s not just his positional play and passing that has been adapted – he even has a defender’s mindset now.
Look at his fist pump reaction to winning a throw-in at his own corner flag – as