Bhoys have their eyes on loan star Kris
KRISTOFFER AJER could have been forgiven for thinking that it would be a case of “out of sight, out of mind” when Celtic sent the teenager out to Kilmarnock on loan in January.
The Norwegian centre-back arrived at Parkhead in June of last year, by which time the manager who signed him, Ronny Deila, had been replaced by Brendan Rodgers.
Ajer made only one first-team appearance for the Hoops – as a 60th-minute substitute for Kieran Tierney in the 3-0 Champions League qualifying-round victory over Lincoln Red Imps in July – before joining Killie.
However, he’s delighted by the fact his performances at Rugby Park are being monitored by his parent club.
“Celtic watch me in every game, and last Wednesday I was back at Lennoxtown, watching clips from those matches with John Kennedy. I also had a chat with the manager when I was there,” said Ajer.
“They are following my progress, which is good for me. You hear about some players who are sent out to other clubs on loan and just forgotten about but Celtic have been really interested in me.
“I’ve spoken with the manager and other members of the coaching staff to get feedback about my performances so that I can improve.
“Naturally, I can’t go back there every week but I manage to visit the training ground regularly, which has been good for me.”
There are suggestions that he might return to Ayrshire on another loan next season. But Ajer stresses that his dream is to force himself into Rodgers’ team.
“The plan is that I will go back to Celtic for pre-season training and see what happens then,” he said.
“My time with Kilmarnock has been brilliant for me.
“I’ve performed really well in most of the games and I also felt that I did well against Hearts, which is important for me and for Celtic.
“Obviously, it’s good for me to get this first-team experience. I’m only 18 years old and showing Celtic that I’m capable of playing in this league is what it’s all been about.
“It will be a real challenge for me to make the breakthrough at Celtic because they are the best team in Scotland, by far.
“But I know my abilities and I’m really positive. I want to play for them.”
The point Lee McCulloch’s men took against Hearts on Friday edged them closer to survival but Ajer is taking nothing for granted.
“We play Hamilton away next and that’s a huge game for us, and for them.
“Everyone at the bottom is fighting for points now so these won’t be nice games. I don’t think that one more win will be enough to make us feel more comfortable but two should do it.”