Kris knows ropes for climb away from drop zone
KRISTOFFER AJER reckons he can withstand the pressure of a relegation dogfight with Kilmarnock – because the on-loan Celtic youngster has already survived a play-off in his homeland at the age of just 17.
While the Rugby Park side are within touching distance of a top six place and are desperate to steer clear of last year’s play-off ordeal, they are still only four points off the bottom and the teenage defender requires little schooling on what it means to clubs like Kilmarnock to avoid the drop.
“I actually played in a relegation play-off in Norway about half a season before I joined Celtic,” said the 18-year-old, who has been converted to a central defender by Brendan Rodgers.
“It was for IK Start against FK Jerv who were trying to come up from the second division and luckily we won that one to stay up.
“So I know what it means for clubs to avoid these situations,” he added. “It means a lot to stay in the league and we will do everything to make sure Kilmarnock don’t go down this season.
“It’s a tough league and Kilmarnock played the play-off last year so that’s something we’ll aim to avoid this time.
“We’re aiming for top six but that starts against Ross County. We want to take three points. points.”
After more than 50 appearppearances in Norwegian an football, Ajer has had to wait ait for first team action on in Scotland. While he says he learned more in six months working with Rodgers at Lennoxtown, even without first team football, than he has ever done, there is little subsitute for games.
Ajer said he had been discussing his situation with Martin Odegaard, another talented Norwegian teenager who has just decided to go on an 18-month loan from Real Madrid to Heerenveen in the Dutch league.
“Martin has gone to Herenveen for 18 months and that’s really good for him,” said Ajer.
“Obviously he went to Real Madrid when he was 16 and it’s not easy to play for the team there when you are that young. So I think this time in Holland will be good for him.
“I know him well having been on the national team together since Under-15 level and now we are in Under 21s together. So we talk a lot, he is a brilliant player.”
The potential of a relegation dogfight isn’t the only examination Ajer will face this season.
A bright kid who plans to study for a medical degree in order that he becomes a doctor when he finishes playing, the 18-year-old still has exams to complete in the Norwegian schooling system at the end of this year.
“When I am training or playing I am 100 per cent focused on football, but when you come home and have three or four hours with nothing to do then I find it better to study instead of sittin sitting in front of the TV,” he said.
“I get lectu lectures through Sky Skype but I have exams to do in Norway that I’ll take after the seasonseaso has finished. A At the end of my playing care career I will mo move back to No Norway and st start my w work in m medicine.”