The reason Kris had Vassbakk on his back
Celtic star Kristoffer Ajer paid an emotional tribute to his late grandfather by getting his name put on the back of his shirt for his Norway debut.
The 19- year- old made his full international bow as Norway crushed World Cup-bound Australia 4-1.
His Celtic team- mate, Tom Rogic, came on as a substitute for the shattered Socceroos.
Ajer wore the No. 3 shirt with ‘ Vassbakk Ajer’ above the number.
And the giant stopper explained he was keeping a promise to his grandfather, Albjorn Vassbakk.
“There’s a story behind the name on my shirt, revealed the Celtic central defender.
“A year ago, my grandfather passed away.
“Before he died, I made a promise to him that if and when I made my international team debut, I would use his surname on the back of my shirt. “It was a promise I had to keep.” Ajer 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 that request!
“It was nice that so many of my family and friends came. They sat in the stands and screamed and cheered.”
And 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 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.”