Celtic took a big step towards qualifying for the Europe League group stages with a 2-0 win against Swedish side AIK on Thursday night.
The goals came in the second half of the game from James Forrest and Odsonne Edouard and, more importantly, Celtic didn’t give AIK a crucial away goal. It means that if Celtic score away from home in the second leg of the play-off, AIK will need to score four to progress.
It was a solid team performance and Kristoffer Ajer, normally a centre-back, caught the eye of fans with a brilliant display at right-back.
According to WyScout, Ajer made 81 passes with an 84% success rate and completed five interceptions, two blocks and three clearances. He also made five progressive runs, above his season average of 3.67.
The Daily Record said Ajer “looked like he’d played there [at right-back] his entire career” and described him as “rock solid”.
Celtic fans on Twitter were in total agreement, with one supporter saying he was “on fire just now” and another calling him “phenomenal” and the best defender in the Premiership at the age of just 21.
https://twitter.com/Foolsgold1888/status/1164830721350852608
Ajer is phenomenal and only 21 best defender in the league by a country mile
Glad to see big Julien starting to play well he was solid last night win everything he went for— ?? ??? ?? ? ?? ??? (@bluorredpil) August 23, 2019
Ajer just gets better and better and better. Love his passion and commitment too
— i am mr blake (@iammrblake) August 23, 2019
Interestingly, some Celtic supporters were calling for Ajer to move up and replace Scott Brown in midfield.
One fan said that if Celtic could bring in a right-back, “could he [Ajer] be the man to help and perhaps replace Brown?”
Not all fans felt the same way, though, with one saying, “He has been a revelation at CB. He is brilliant on the ball WITH THE GAME IN FRONT OF HIM. He is not a ball playing holding mid by any stretch mad how many people subscribe to the notion he is.”
That argument is set to run with Scott Brown looking less reliable in his defensive midfield position at the age of 34.
I thought Bolingoli was erratic but improving, Julien came on to a game, Christie excellent, Forrest irreplaceable but the man of the match for me was Ajer. If we get a RB could he be the man to help and perhaps replace Brown? HH pic.twitter.com/D4DGKYZ0zo
— Celtic Gossip (@CelticGossip) August 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/janefieldst/status/1164819731053809671
https://twitter.com/moneromonero/status/1164822681079836673
Ajer would be a perfect replacement for Brown
— Thomas Woods (@Tombhoy46) August 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/mcbhoy/status/1164829081436688386
What is this thing with Ajer playing holding mid.
He has been a revelation at CB. He is brilliant on the ball WITH THE GAME IN FRONT OF HIM.
He is not a ball playing holding mid by any stretch mad how many people subscribe to the notion he is.
— King Jota (@FenianBushido) August 23, 2019
Many other fans were just happy to praise Ajer’s performance and whether he makes the step up to midfield or not, his versatility will be absolutely invaluable to Neil Lennon going forward.
After the official UEFA Twitter account asked Celtic fans who their star man was, a number of fans had the same answer.
Ajer , immense . Again .
— ????????? (@disgracelands9) August 22, 2019
Ajer by a mile
— Martin Canavan (@mcanavan497) August 22, 2019