Kristoffer Ajer was a Celtic player for more than half-a-decade. Thus, he will exactly know what it means for the club and the fans, as they head into a Scottish League Cup final against the Rangers at Hampden Park. He has taken part in games of such magnitude in the past and come out on top on more occasions than not.
Ajer joined Celtic in 2016 and established himself as a key part of the club’s starting XI. At one point of time, he was considered as one of the Hoops’ best players, and he was one of the few players who were consistent during the 2020/21 campaign.
He would ultimately end up leaving in the summer of 2021 to join Brentford in the Premier League. And Ajer has had an up-and-down time at the London club since then.
It is clear that he has fond memories of his time at Celtic though. And the Norwegian international will be watching, when the Hoops take to the Hampden Park pitch to face the Rangers in the final of the Scottish League Cup. As reported by 67 Hail Hail, Ajer said while speaking to the club’s official YouTube channel:
"“I watch almost every game so a Cup final on Sunday with Celtic and Rangers I will definitely be watching. I’m not surprised at all. I only had three weeks with Ange but I could tell already by then that he would be a massive success. The way Celtic are playing, the way Callum [McGregor] is leading, I’m so happy for him as well.“He’s one of the most hard-working players I’ve ever met so he deserves everything he’s getting now. Everyone is just performing, they had some players that’s been there a long time and they had some players that really gets what it means to play for Celtic so I’m just very happy for everyone.“The guys here at the training ground are sick of hearing me talking fondly about my time at Celtic. I absolutely loved it. It was five amazing years. I came as an 18-year-old boy. I was very insecure and didn’t speak any English. I signed as a No10, developed well, learned so much from so many spectacular players and good managers. To win nine trophies was amazing for such a massive club.”"
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Ajer had all the tools to be a major success in Postecoglou’s style of football at Celtic Park. But unfortunately, he did not spent much time at the club under the manager before making his move to Brentford.
That has not been a major blow for Celtic though, who have done well even in his absence. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt have formed a brilliant partnership in the heart of the club’s defence.
On the other hand, Ajer’s time in the Premier League has not been as successful as he would have hoped. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for him.