Brendan Rodgers
Former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers always felt Kristoffer Ajer would attract attention from other clubs even after his early performances for the club. Ajer has won plenty of plaudits for his performances north of the border, not least from Rodgers who, in 2018, hailed his progress with the Hoops.
Brendan Rodgers said: “Kris has made some big steps. He’s only 20 but he’s really dominant. You think now that when everything comes through the middle of the pitch – he’s going to get his head on it. He’s a natural leader as a young guy and is improving all the time. He was thrown in against Rosenborg last year in the Champions League but he’s now a Treble winner for Celtic and a regular for his country. He’s had lots of experiences and is developing really well. Kris came from Norway where he played as a No 10, scoring goals. Now he’s progressing as a centre-half. He must be able to defend, first and foremost. But if you can build up play as well then you can be critical for the team and how we play. Kris is very comfortable at that. He has earned the respect of his team-mates, not just in games but how he is in training.”
Rodgers felt his form was bound to attract transfer attention sooner or later, with the Norwegian international comfortable in central defence or as an attacking right-sided defender. And he has pinpointed just what Newcastle would be getting should they turn their interest in Ajer into a transfer this summer.
Brendan Rodgers said: “He’s got a lot of strength and is a quick learner. He’s a bright boy who takes information on very quickly. Every day in training he wants to win. He wants to improve and get better. His rampaging runs from defence are part of how we build the game from behind. It helps when you’ve got someone of that quality. But it depends where the space is. If you’re playing against one striker, the space is on the outside with the two outside centre-backs. When he attacks and steps in, he breaks lines very well. You get players like that. They find themselves on the edge of the box – but the problem is, they have to get back. I remember Gerry Taggart doing that for Leicester. He used to step forward and just barge everyone out of his way. Kris is very elegant and the comfort he feels with the ball is very important. I need that with all of the players. We need that to pass and play the way we want. But it’s really important that they can defend as well. Will other clubs look at him? I’ve no doubt because he’s a young central defender who can play. But first and foremost you have to be able to defend. Kris doesn’t take many risks, which is a key point to his game.”
