Former Celtic man Davie Provan has dismissed the idea of Kristoffer Ajer bagging a move to AC Milan this summer.
The Norwegian has been the subject of reported interest from both the Serie A heavyweights as well as English Premier League clubs.
The Scottish Sun claimed that the Italian giants were long-term admirers of Ajer, and that they viewed him as an ideal signing as part of their summer-spending spree.
But Provan isn’t having it. Speaking in his own Sun column, he dismissed any prospect of Ajer being good enough to make the move to the San Siro.
“Elsewhere, Kris Ajer’s agent has talked up interest in the Norwegian. AC Milan? Is he having a laugh? Listen, I’ve no doubt the big fella is a good type. But it’s easy for him to look like Franco Baresi in Scotland, where he’s rarely under pressure.
“When it comes to the real sharp end, he’s short. Think back to Celts’ first league defeat of last season at Livingston. A 60-yard punt catches Ajer and Chris Jullien under the ball, Lyndon Dykes scores.
“I’ve lost count of the times the pair of them are taken out the game by one pass.”
There’s talent in Ajer and it’s undoubted
Harsh from Provan here. Yes, Ajer can sometimes be caught out at times with his positioning or his clumsiness. Goodness knows how many times he’s grabbed hold of opposition players’ jerseys needlessly in the box.
However, it seems at times as if his critics close their eyes whenever he has a good game. People forget how good he was in Europe last season, helping to keep the likes of Ciro Immobile, M’Baye Niang, and Billel Omrani quiet in the Europa League groups.
He also has a real asset to his game in how he likes to step out with the ball. His dribbling ability is a big tool for Celtic and it often helps to open up opposition defences, particularly domestically.
You can’t point to a mistake he made almost a year ago against Livingston and use it to batter him with. Even the best centre-backs in the world have their off-moments.
Granted, there’s been no reported bid from Milan for the defender. Hopefully it stays that way too. But to totally dismiss the idea that he can’t play at a higher level is far too selective. Ajer’s whole package can be developed further, and at only 22, he has so much potential in his game.
If Ajer stays for the 10, he can be absolutely delighted with the role he’s played in it, regardless of what certain pundits may think.
In other news, Lennon has touched on his concern regarding one particular Celt who is away on international duty.
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