A section of fans have been reacting on Twitter after Brendan Rodgers all but ruled Kristoffer Ajer out of Cetlic’s Europa League clash with Rosenborg on Thursday night.
The Hoops welcome the Norwegian giants to Parkhead to kick off their Europa League group stage, however they are likely to be doing so without the services of Ajer, with the 20-year-old suffering from a virus.
“Kristoffer Ajer has a virus and is a big doubt for us,” said Rodgers, as quoted by Celtic’s official Twitter account in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
?? BR: "@Jack_Hendry2 is back in the squad and available. Nir Bitton's progressing well. Probably going to be into October by the time he’s back. Kristoffer Ajer has a virus and is a big doubt for us."
More #CELRBK build-up on https://t.co/00fJCijgWx & @CelticTV shortly. #UEL
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 19, 2018
Some Hoops fans are now worried about Jack Hendry potentially replacing Ajer in the starting line-up, with one saying that he won’t be going if the ex-Dundee ace starts.
This is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
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— Gagan Badhesha. ??? ?????? (@BadheshaGagan) September 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/Mark_Labbet1607/status/1042395958485700609
https://twitter.com/Gunnie67/status/1042393699131555841
I hope rosenburg aren't on good form because celtic were awful against the mighty st mirren and a good team will destroy us.
— Gerard Durkin (@YESstoryman) September 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/judejoemac/status/1042397218987274246
https://twitter.com/DanTheManMax/status/1042395364375097344
Here’s our predicted team for tomorrow.
We need some pace back into the team, so Sinclair in for Rogic who’s struggled recently. Benkovic in for Ajer who has a virus.
Went with Edouard based on his last performance against Rosenborg.
Thoughts? #CELRBK #Celtic pic.twitter.com/BdIyGEGJ3C
— Celtic Fans TV (@CelticFansTV) September 19, 2018
OPINION
Ajer is definitely going to be a miss for Celtic on Thursday night because he played so well against Rosenborg in the Champions League qualifiers in the summer. The 20-year-old Norway international clearly had a handle on one of his old league rivals at IK Start and Rodgers will definitely see his team weakened by the big man not being able to play. Some of these Celtic fans have now been speculating on social media that Hendry could replace Ajer in the starting line-up. That would be a worry for the Hoops, especially as the former Dundee centre-back has been in poor form ever since moving to Glasgow in January. Can he step up to the big occasion? Probably not, but his career at Parkhead could depend on stepping up in massive fixtures like this one, because Rosenborg could prove to be quite a handful if they are not respected.