Kristoffer Ajer is getting closer to returning from a “minor” injury, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed.
The 20-year-old centre-back has been out of action since being forced off in the BetFred Cup quarter final win over St Johnstone, but is expected to return to the training field next week.
That means that he will definitely miss Thursday’s Europe League clash with Red Bull Salzburg and Sunday’s trip to St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership, but Rodgers has made it clear that he is progressing towards full fitness.
“He’s got a minor strain but he’ll be back out running on the pitch next week,” he said, as quoted by Celtic’s official Twitter account on Wednesday night.
? BR on Kris Ajer: “He’s got a minor strain but he’ll be back out running on the pitch next week.”
More from the manager online soon. #FCSCEL #UEL
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 3, 2018
OPINION
Celtic need Ajer back to action as soon as possible because the thought of Jack Hendry playing regularly in the starting line-up is terrifying to some of the club’s fans. The Norway international had been a mainstay in the Hoops’ backline up until his injury blow last month, appearing in 13 matches across all competitions, scoring once in the 3-0 win over Suduva in the Europa League qualifiers. Ajer is only 20 and is already the Bhoys’ best centre-back in the eyes of many, so getting him back is a priority. The international break kicks off after Sunday’s trip to McDiarmid Park and hopefully the Norwegian colossus will be back to fitness after that because Rodgers’ side have a tough run of fixtures against Hibernian, RB Leipzig, Motherwell and then league-leaders Hearts in the BetFred Cup semi-finals. If Hendry still has to play in those games, then there could be points dropped in the league and a domestic treble ended by high-flying Hearts.