Just for sake of clarity, we are pro-Kristoffer Ajer on this website.
That’s important to state. The battle lines are drawn within the Celtic support over the likeable centre-back. For some, he’s a tidy ball-playing centre-back with massive potential. Others, though, think he’s an overrated liability, who can’t defend set-pieces.
There’s truth in both sides. Bearing in mind he started his footballing journey as a striker, Ajer has retreated further and further from the centre-circle over his career. Signed as a midfielder, Ajer spent a loan spell at Kilmarnock playing at centre-back. From then on, he’s been one of Celtic’s more reliable defenders.
There are issues with his game, though, and he’s not the finished article yet. That was clear last night, as Turkey thrashed Norway in World Cup qualifying [UEFA].
A double from Ozan Tufan and a goal from Çağlar Söyüncü put Norway to the sword in Malaga. The match had to be moved due to Covid-19 restrictions in Oslo. Down to 10 men for most of the game, Solbakken’s talented side struggled to land a blow against the Turks.
After the match, Ajer said of his performance [VG]:
“I have to be better at the set piece. We need to be better at both of the other two goals. It is too weak.”
His coach, Stale Solbakken, added:
“You do not win matches internationally [with] defending like that.”
Kristoffer Ajer can only improve
It’s interesting that the most egregious goal conceded by Norway was from a corner. After all, that’s been a problem for Celtic in the long-term.
It’s not just Ajer at fault when Celtic concede from dead ball situations, but he doesn’t tend to help a great amount. That’s something he has to spend a lot of pre-season working on, whether he’s at Celtic or elsewhere. All that said, that one deficiency does not make him a bad footballer by any stretch of the imagination.
Ajer is strong in the tackle, reads the game extremely well and is more than comfortable in possession. His leadership, his wild celebrations after big challenges and his work-rate are beyond question. He has all the tools to be a top defender, and we have to remember he hasn’t actually been a centre-back for a particularly long time.
Solbakken wants him to move.
Yet, if Ajer extends his deal with Celtic and continues to develop at the club, he could be twice the player within a couple of years. He would still be able to compete at a high level, and the idea that playing for Celtic holds anyone back is entirely misinformed.
Given the exhaustive list of internationals playing for Celtic over the decades, it’s a redundant sentiment.
As far as Ajer is concerned, though, this’ll have been a huge blow. He’s got to dust himself down quickly and get back to winning ways with Celtic.
The rest will fall into place.
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