Celtic are braced for summer interest in Ajer
CELTIC’S interim manager John Kennedy will not be surprised to see defender Kristoffer Ajer attract interest in the summer.
The Hoops assistant boss was promoted on Wednesday following the resignation of Neil Lennon and got off to a winning start at home to Aberdeen yesterday thanks to Odsonne Edouard’s deflected strike in the eighth minute. The Dons improved after the break and 22-year-old Norway international Ajer played his part as the home side repelled several crosses and set-pieces into the box.
Ajer joined Celtic in 2016 from Norwegian outfit Start and is out of contract in the summer of 2022, with AC Milan linked previously.
Kennedy said: ‘Kris was terrific, especially in the second half when Aberdeen put us under pressure.
‘I’ve known him since he came here as a kid on trial. He’s a great character and a leader, in terms of how he works and conducts himself.
‘That was a big performance from him today. Even when he was tired at the end, he was throwing himself in front of things or getting his head on balls.
‘We know he’s a good footballer but we’ve always tried to work on his aggression the box.
‘That didn’t come naturally to him because as a kid he was a number 10 in midfield. But he’s got it in his game now.
‘Kris isn’t overly thinking about his future. For him it’s just about giving his best wherever he is.
‘I’ve no doubt that there will be interest in him. He’s still very young and he’s an international player.
‘With his profile of speed, size, technique and ability – there’s going to be interest.’