A number of Celtic fans were left tearing into the display of defensive mainstay Kristoffer Ajer on Twitter after the club’s Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens on Wednesday evening (8 August).
The Bhoys opened the scoring in Glasgow with a fierce Callum McGregor strike after 17 minutes, but found themselves pegged back when Viktor Klonaridis managed to turn the ball home just before half time following a cross into the box, the game ending 1-1.
Bearing the brunt of the Hoops faithful, Ajer, who has featured in every game of the Bhoys’ campaign, was widely panned by the supporters, with many blaming him for playing a role in Athens’ equaliser.
This is Futbol has gathered a selection of messages from the Celtic fans:
AEK goal. Bewildering decision from Ajer to let the ball past him and Athens player half volleys it home
— 90MC (@90MinuteCynic) August 8, 2018
Appalling defending by Ajer 1-1
— CzD (@RodneyFarmer) August 8, 2018
Ffs ajer… that is why we need to spend on our defence.
— Danny Walker (@Danny3Walker) August 8, 2018
Atrocious defending from Lustig & Ajer. Hendry giving me the fear constantly, lack of awareness of players around him is very worrying.
— Goingfor8 (@ML5GoingFor8) August 8, 2018
Awful. Ajer caught watching and hendry getting sucked into the front post. Pish
— A (@andyb124) August 8, 2018
Ajer is being absolutely schooled by their striker tonight ????
— AM (@annemarie6377) August 8, 2018
Ajer and Hendry having a competition to see who’s going to have the biggest nightmare ????????????
— ?John Connell? (@celticjohn67) August 8, 2018
Better team by miles first 20 but mistake after mistake will cost you eventually. Ajer and Hendry a disaster.
— Paul Bov ???? (@p_bov1) August 8, 2018
Opinion
He might be first choice under Brendan Rodgers but with displays like this, Ajer is simply setting himself up for the axe when Dedryck Boyata returns to fitness. The Hoops fans are absolutely right to tear into his performance, and they deserve an explanation over what his thinking was for Athens’ equaliser. He might only be 20 but the Bhoys cannot afford liabilities in their side when Champions League qualification is on the line, and that was exactly what Ajer was on Wednesday night. How he recovers from his disappointing display could determine whether he keeps his place over the coming weeks.