FOUR DAYS TO GO
Kris: New deal was a no-brainer
are a few coming over from Norway this week.
“They will be here for the Motherwell game at Hampden and will stay for the Scott Brown testimonial too.
“It is probably just my mum and dad, Randi Vassbakk and Jan Tore Ajer.
“They have been over for a lot of games this season and they’ll be looking forward to a break too! They have supported me throughout my career.
“My mother has been over a few times lately to watch the games. She is always screaming for the team to win. My father is a huge football fan and he was my coach from when I was about six until 12.
“He didn’t have a big football career but he has always loved sports and football in particular.
“He’s a big reason I have managed to break through. He has been fantastic.
“It means a lot to my family to be going to a cup final. It means a lot to all of the families of the players here to be part of something special.
“There will be a lot of interest back in Norway as well. They know Celtic are a big club and will be supporting us back home.”
Ajer admitted this campaign could not have gone much better. Thrown in at the deep end in the Champions League qualifiers, the 6ft 5ins midfielderturned-defender quickly found his feet and emerged as a key man for Rodgers in the second half of the season.
He made an impressive debut for Norway earlier this year and is out to finish on a high.
There’s only been one thing missing from his champagne campaign and he’d love to complete the set in the Cup.
Ajer joked: “I need to start scoring! Hopefully it can be this weekend.
“As a defender it’s my job to stop them but it would be great From Back Page amid interest from the Bundesliga big guns.
Ajer has relished his breakthrough season at Celtic Park after establishing himself at the heart of the Hoops defence and blasting his way into the Norway side.
The 20-year-old insisted there was no way he was ready to jump ship because he is determined to continue picking up silverware with the Premiership champions.
Ajer said: “I’ve never been interested in hearing about any of the interest levels.
“I was just 100 percent focused on Celtic and when this opportunity came up to renew my contract, I was really happy with that because there is not a better club to be at right now.
“It was never in doubt. I’m excited about next season. There are some really positive things going on at this club.” to get a goal in the Cup Final. No goals for Celtic, no goals for Kilmarnock last year either! This would be a nice time to do it.
“The last year has gone quicker than I expected but I have always been training hard and receiving a lot of help from the gaffer and the rest of the squad.
“They have believed in me as they do all their players and that makes it easier for a young guy coming to a massive club like this.
“It has been a great season for me this far so hopefully I can end it in a positive way on Saturday in the Final.”