Hoops’ Ajer in tribute

Celtic star Kristoffer Ajer paid an emotional tribute to his late grandfather by wearing his name on his shirt for the defender’s Norway debut.

The 19-year-old made his international bow as Norway crushed Australia 4-1, with fellow Celt Tom Rogic only a sub for the Aussies.

And Ajer revealed the ‘Vassbakk Ajer’ worn above his number three was a promise to his grandad, Albjorn Vassbakk.

Ajer said: “There’s a story behind my shirt. A year ago my grandfather passed away.

“Before he died I made a promise to him that if I made my national team debut, I would use his surname on my shirt.

“It was a promise I had to keep.”

And he had plenty of support from the stands in Oslo.

He said: “Before the game I called the ticket office and asked for 29 tickets for family and friends.

“I think because it was my first international, they accepted this!

“It was nice that so many came. They sat in the stands and screamed and cheered.”

So impressive was Ajer’s display that Australia’s new manager, Bert van Marwijk, singled him out for praise.

He said: “Norway’s Ajer was a big danger for us.

“Every time he carried the ball forward into midfield he caused us some trouble.

“I had to tell my players at half-time to take care of him and they stopped him doing that so much in the second half.”