RODGERS TARGETS AJER
Celtic defender is on Leicester wanted list
BRENDAN RoDgERs’ Leicester City have placed Celtic’s Kristoffer Ajer on a list of centraldefensive targets.
Foxes scout sean st Ledger travelled to glasgow to watch Thursday’s Europa League win over Lazio.
Despite the form of Jonny Evans and Caglar soyuncu, former Celtic boss Rodgers — whose Leicester side went second in the Premier League with an astonishing 9-0 win at southampton last night — has admitted he’s planning for a future without 35-year-old captain Wes Morgan and is scouring the market to replace Harry Maguire after the
England defender’s £80million switch to Manchester United in August.
Ajer, also a target for Crystal Palace, was placed under scrutiny together with Lazio’s Angolan central defender Bastos on Thursday night.
The 21-year-old Norwegian international emerged as a key player at Parkhead under Rodgers but signed a deal last year tying him to Celtic until 2022.
‘We’re looking at all options to see if we can strengthen
in January,’ said the Leicester boss. ‘It’s always a difficult window. You’ll always look and if there’s value there, then we will do something. If not, then okay, we know the players will improve and develop and we’ll take it through to the summer. ‘I’ve always tried to be positive in the January window. It’s normally worked fairly well for us when the availability has been there. ‘(At centre-back), it’s one where we’re planning forward, if you look at Wes (Morgan) and where he’s at in his career.’ Rodgers (right) has already had a summer move for Scotland midfelder Callum McGregor rejected by his former club. Denied the opportunity to talk to the English Premier League side, the 26-year-old is currently in discussions with the Scottish champions over a pay rise. Celtic’s quest for a ninth straight title and their pursuit of a place in the last 32 of the Europa League means they are unlikely to entertain bids for key players in January. Success in Europe was on Neil Lennon’s mind yesterday when he insisted competing in the latter stages of the Champions League should never be considered beyond the reaches of Scotland’s top clubs. He believes the Old Firm’s Europa League performances are doing wonders not just for the nation’s UEFA coefficient, but the worldwide reputation of Scottish football. Celtic savoured a dramatic late victory over Lazio, just hours after their city rivals bagged a valuable point away to Porto. The Parkhead men now top Group E at the halfway stage, while Rangers sit third in Group G with two home games to come. Their efforts could boost the coefficient enough to guarantee later entry into both UEFA competitions, meaning the title winners would not have to go through four two-legged ties just to reach the group stage of the Champions League. ‘I don’t believe for one minute that the Champions League is way beyond any Scottish club,’ said Lennon. ‘In time, we will be there again and challenging, hopefully breaking the ceiling of the last 16 again. ‘Both teams are in the Europa League at the minute and performing very well. It’s the competition we are in, so we have to maximise what we have. ‘We’ve done that before and we hope we can do it again.’ Lennon is taking nothing for granted over coefficient numbers but is adamant that having two clubs well placed to compete in European football beyond Christmas can only enhance the standing of our game. ‘It’s great to have those nights back for the players, the fans and the club as a whole. ‘It’s important to compete in those games, because you know what it means for everyone associated with the club — and Scottish football. ‘We must add some gravitas back to the game, and both clubs are doing their best to bring that. ‘We’re not getting carried away but we’re halfway there and we are competing really well. ‘We are in a good position, but we will take it game by game.’