Celtic can forget keeping Kris Ajer; time to source his replacement

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As we finish off dissecting Sunday’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice, one thing’s for certain, Celtic can forget keeping Kris Ajer this summer.

Ajer was again at the heart of the defence in Tayside. As he has been all season, the Norwegian was a purposeful figure for us both defensively and going forward.

Ajer managed to boss Lawrence Shankland out of the game as he continuously got on top of the Scotland international. It was only in the final half-hour after John Kennedy’s bemusing substitutions that the Utd forward came into the game with our midfield almost non-existent.

However, once again, Ajer’s dribbles proved key in opening the Tannadice men up. Only David Turnbull managed more successful dribbles than the centre-back [WhoScored]. Yet, when he did open up space and lay it off to his teammates, we were wasteful.

This isn’t the first time that the 2016 Ronny Deila signing has been let down by his fellow Celts. In the recent 2-2 draw against Livingston in West Lothian, Ajer was again a standout as he created space for his colleagues. Once again, individual errors around him proved costly.

Before he left, Neil Lennon provided an update on Ajer’s contract situation. The Celtic boss claimed that he had tried to open dialogue with the player’s agent on fresh terms. However, Lennon said that it “wasn’t forthcoming” [Celtic TV].

This is the same Ajer whose agent reportedly asked for his valuation last summer [Glasgow Times]. Make no mistake, there’s absolutely no chance we hold onto Kris this summer.

Celtic star Kris Ajer looks destined for a move

It’s not even something we should be hoping for. There’s nothing at Celtic Park for Ajer anymore, especially with our Champions League qualification route becoming a lot tougher. With so many changes expected to come to the club, he’ll surely feel the time is right to make the step up. And he wouldn’t be wrong.

Ajer has now proven himself to be a class above what the Scottish Premiership can offer. It doesn’t matter what the fixture is, he’ll consistently put in impressive individual performances. Even if his teammates are struggling alongside him.

Given he’s now an experienced Norwegian international at only 22 years of age, Celtic would be wise to look for his replacement. Someone who can step into Ajer’s shoes and ensure his loss won’t be too sorely felt.

In the past, Ajer has been linked with moves to England [The Athletic], France [Goal], and Italy respectively [Glasgow Times]. For any scouts who will have been watching him over the last several months, they’ll have remained impressed.

It’s important to remember that Ajer isn’t like the rest of us. He didn’t grow up a Celtic supporter. He won’t have that same emotional attachment to the club that we do. When the time is right to move on, he’ll take it. And it’s clear, after staying to try and complete 10-in-a-row, the time to try something new is now.

With no new contract on the horizon and a host of clubs surely interested, it’s time to forget any prospect of him staying. All of our focus now must be on sourcing some suitable replacements.

In other news, we discuss what the Celtic fans never wanted to admit to regarding 10IAR.