Ajer needs surgery on cheekbone

year, according to Rodgers. “He’s struggling – he’s broken his eye socket and he’s in a lot of pain,” said Rodgers.

“He will need surgery which is a shame for him. He’s in real agony around the area of his cheekbone. The medics will look after him and hopefully he can get that repaired as soon as possible.”

Another clash of heads riled Rodgers yesterday. Dolly Menga, the Livingston striker, rammed his head into Ryan Christie during a tussle in the box before a throw-in during the firsthalf. The incident was captured by television cameras but missed by referee Kevin Clancy. Menga’s rashness could yet land him in trouble with Clare Whyte, the SFA compliance officer.

“He should have been sent off,” said Rodgers. “I thought so in real time. I thought he gestured his head towards Ry and when I saw it after the game he was very, very lucky to stay on the pitch.”

Opposite number Gary Holt sought to play down the controversy. “I don’t think it can have been that much of an incident because I don’t think Christie made a big deal of it,” he said. “I don’t think he went down.”

Rodgers described himself as very satisfied with the point in the circumstances following a hectic spell during which Celtic have re-asserted their domestic dominance, moving to the top of the league for the first time this season.

“The season started slowly for us,” said Rodgers. “But I’ve been so pleased with the last seven weeks or so, in terms of the performance level. We were never going to reach that level today in terms of goals and creativity as the surface is difficult for that. It’s a good point.”