Celtic kicked off their pre-season in a clash with OGC Nice on Thursday evening and plenty of Hoops fans took to Twitter to criticise Kristoffer Ajer after former Ajax forward Kasper Dolberg gave Nice a 1-0 lead in the game.
RMC Sport posted footage of Dolberg’s opening goal on Twitter. The Danish centre-forward drifted into a central position from the left-hand side of the box, dribbling past multiple Celtic defenders before slotting the ball past Scott Bain, who started between the sticks for Celtic.
Plenty of Hoops fans were critical of Norway international Ajer for his role in this goal. Celtic’s 22-year-old defender went to ground inside of the Hoops’ penalty area in an attempt to put a stop to Dolberg’s dribble, however, the Nice attacker was able to smoothly evade his challenge and move past him before giving his side a 1-0 lead.
Many Celtic fans took to Twitter to slate Ajer following Dolberg’s goal, with some sharing their frustration with his decision to go to ground to try and stop the Nice attacker.
|
|
Played ok, final ball lacking and I see big ajer has not learned to stay on his feet, made it easy for the goal. Over all decent first half ?
— paul conlon (@rawchicken17) July 16, 2020
Am sorry but ajer lunging in for no good reason again, he’s a complete donkey and I never want to see him in a Celtic strip again
— niall (@_NDG67) July 16, 2020
Ajer n Julien are rank rotten
— Boabster (@Boabster6) July 16, 2020
Ajer should watch the interview with maldini when he says the minute you go to ground your in big trouble or words to that effect
— roy (@Airthreycastle3) July 16, 2020
Is Ajer at fault for this goal?YES
NO
|
People think Ajer is a £25m CB lol
— Leem (@liamcsc) July 16, 2020
A good defender rarely goes to ground, Ajer is brutal https://t.co/b3aFwKTmpE
— Liam (@Liam67M) July 16, 2020
If you think Ajer is or ever will be a good centre half you should follow another sport
— Tony Petrucci (@tpetrucci1985) July 16, 2020
Ajer and Julian are donkeys
— ???? (@yeup88) July 16, 2020
Ajer was recently linked with a move to AC Milan, with Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claiming that Ralf Rangnick, who is set to take charge of the Rossoneri from the 2020/21 season, ‘really likes’ the Celtic defender.
So, after Dolberg evaded Ajer’s challenge in this pre-season friendly to give his side a 1-0 lead, some Hoops fans referenced the recent reports linking the 22-year-old with a move to Milan and shared that they wouldn’t object to their club selling him to the Serie A side.
Drop Ajer off in Milan on the way home
— JIMMY (@JIMMYJREXX) July 16, 2020
If Milan come back way an offer a would offload big Ajer in a heartbeat
— Dale Michael Mcgovern?? (@DaleMMcGovern) July 16, 2020
Can AC Milan take Ajer off our hands
— GL (@GL___67) July 16, 2020
It’s clear that Ajer’s attempted tackle was ultimately ineffective at stopping Dolberg. However, the Celtic fans calling for Ajer to be sold after a poorly timed tackle in a pre-season friendly may be slightly overreacting.