Kristoffer Ajer made clear to Norwegian media his intentions to leave Celtic this summer. “With one year left of my contract, that would be the best solution for me and my club. Something is going to happen this summer.”
Kris made it clear to the club two years ago he would not sign a new contract and has stuck to plan since. For me, he was our stand-out Player of the Year last season and compares to the very best central defenders we have seen in the modern era.
At 23, Kris is one year older than Virgil van Dijk when he joined Celtic in 2013. I would be hard pressed to pick a more impressive season between Kris’ last season or Virgil’s first. Virgil was better in the air but I have never seen a Celtic central defender break through the lines as safely or effectively as Kris. Virgil tried this but was not in the same class.
Just as we knew Virgil could do better than Southampton, Kris can do better than the apparently-keen Newcastle. Liverpool could do worse than pair them up next season, he will play for a top EPL team eventually. I hope we keep him for the European qualifiers.
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Adi Dassler/Saint Stivs –
I don’t get the plan with Hendry, he wants to sign for Oostende so they can immediately flip him to a big club for instant 4m profit? Not sure why he would do that when he can return to Celtic, where he has only a year left on his contract, and make it clear he wants to be sold. That way he could reduce his transfer fee and get more of the buying club’s investment transferred to salary.
Alternatively, he could try to secure a first team place in his final year, and review his options (sign a new contract or leave on a free) next summer. If I was at Celtic I’d be reminding him of the Ajer shaped hole we’ll soon have to fill.
To me the Oostende resale option looks the one that would secure him less money long term. If he simply wants to sign and play for Oostende, then fair play to the guy.
If you get your shape right, CHs don’t need to be ‘ball player’. No1 issue for us is not having reliable FBs to cover and take a pass from CHs.
Lustig and Tierney were a dream for our CH’s . I don’t think we have fully factored in how devastating to our play losing them at the same time was.
Elhamed was weak and positionally suspect. I remember being very worried in summer 2019 about the chasm between him and Julienne. Partially Julienne’s fault of course
Wee Frimpong got his chance earlier than expected and flattered to deceive with his wing play. Never a full back
Bolingoli had some good moments but again positionally suspect. Clearly fell out of favour with Lennon in Autumn 2019 and we know the rest.
Taylor is neat and tidy, getting better at the back post diagonal he gets targetted with. Finally worked out that a ‘give and go’ is how he needs to get to the byeline as he is not a winger. Has ended up being our best full back since 2019 despite all the criticism most of us send him.
Fix the full backs; buy heid the ba’s at CH; buy a selfish no9 and we start playing football again
CONEYBHOY on 4TH JUNE 2021 1:12 PM
Agree with a lot of that. Our full backs and no positional discipline, probably due to tactics/coaching.
However, the biggest issue was the lack of protection afforded by Broony. Broony was routinely up the park, out of position or bypassed easily last season and our CBs were completely exposed.
Big Ajer flattered to deceive imo – too often found wanting and a bit like big Johan M back in the day neither a stand out midfielder or stand out centre half but does a decent shift, and we need to be getting better than decent.. And will not get near VVD. Easiy enough to blame the day to day coaching perhaps but struck me as a bit of a big jessie at times (to lighten the darkening mood).
PS I mean ‘selfish’ in terms of staying in that position to score goals. Edouard is a Larsson type; makes runs in the channel or wide, runs at defenders etc. We need that and i’d love him to stay and keep doing that but we really don’t have a Sutton, Hartson, Dembele, Hooper etc. Griff’s time is up
well no surprise big Kris is off and as i have stated on here before,it will be interesting to see how his career develops
because of his physicality CB will always be the preferred option of his Coaches [I think] in this case Kris’s natural ball skills , that Paul refers to will have to be curtailed and extensive coaching on his defensive responsibilities applied
That said I have enjoyed his time here and would have liked him to stay and develop but I suppose that was never an option
Look forward to some good news soon [we need it]
HH
We’ll be lucky to finish 4th next year, sad fucking state of affairs… But hey ho! £65 for the “second” away top in 11months, scunnered!
This could get messy, an awkward conversation in court –
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19346156.judge-starts-same-club-debate-experts-argue-whether-rangers-fans-support-another-team/
Laughably, the IP expert who valued the rangers brand says whole issue is “just so imponderable”. So imponderable he put a 16m valuation on it.
What strikes me through these discussions is that a major defence of the administrators is that some approach or other would have been terrible for rangers, for the future marketability of the assets they were selling. This is strange as the administrator’s main (and perhaps only) remit was to secure the maximum return for the creditors. They should have no interest in what happens to the assets after they’re sold, this is entirely an issue for the buyer to undertake their own due diligence.
My comments about AJER on the last thread …..
I thought someone’s actually replying to my post about him…..😂😂😂
Anyhoo ,2nd jab done back up later with the wife for her 2nd….fabeedoo.
CONEYBHOY
Largely agree with your points …. under Ronny and Neil we had a tendency to push the full backs up too high and the problem being that too many of our midfielders can’t protect the ball …. Ryan , Tom and Calum … meaning we get breaked on with our centre half’s exposed ….. a total rethink is needed it will take us 18 months to sort this mess out …
ajer likea wee baby i wantout ok then f–k off then
I Iike guys who run with ball and commit opposition players.thats Ajers best quality.if somebody can toughen him and teach him to stay on his feet when defending it will improve him big time
RPMCELTICFAN – The Rockonteurs podcasts are, in my opinion, nearly all enjoyable. I listen to them when out walking. Each one lasts approx an hour, all chat, no music. The only ones I didn’t really take to were Suzi Quattro and David Crosby. The others all have some great stories to tell, regardless of whether you are into their particular music. For me, examples of that were the shows with David Coverdale and Alice Cooper. Coverdale is brilliant to listen too, so funny. Likewise Brian Johnson of ACDC. Some hilarious insights.
Geldof, Jools Holland, Boy George and Roland Arzabal were all really interesting, likewise Glen Matlock with his Sex Pistols’ stories. Scots Midge Ure and sharleen Spiteri were superb.
There have been guests that I previously knew little about like Imelda May and Jonny Marr that were equally enjoyable.
As the series progresses, Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt become more relaxed and entertaining but they are both really knowledgeable of the music industry and their guests. Pratt has played bass with almost everyone including Roxy Music and Pink Floyd and seems to know everyone.
Kemp has a great insight into the late 70s-early 80s scene but he is not just Spandau Ballet, he is a surprisingly good guitarist and plays with Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason’s band, A saucerful of secrets.
I subscribe to You Tube Premium for music streaming and almost always go on to it to listen to the stuff that was being discussed.
Dive in, you won’t regret it.
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 4TH JUNE 2021 12:21 PM
Big Jimmy
I left an answer for you on the previous thread
……………..
Thanks SFTB, I saw your Post on the previous Thread a few minutes ago.
IF it was/is TRUE that Sevco had requested that they be allowed to house 10,000 INSIDE Ipox, for each of FOUR Days of ” Celebration”, I can only ASSUME that Brian Wilson KNEW this ?
IF so, I can also only assume that he was happy to go along with such a request ?
Again IF True, I can only assume that Thousands of more Huns would have gathered OUTSIDE Ipox on each of the FOUR Days, and most likely march to George Square, with a Police Escort each time , and Mr Wilson would have been happy enough to have that happen ?
The ” Events” displayed by the Hun hordes on Two occasions within weeks of each other, simply equated to “MOB Rule”. Lets NOT kid ourselves on that those in charge at Ipox and former players etc, were all ” Unhappy” with the scenes, as they were all too happy to see the Hun hordes ” Celebrating” in a manner that only they can.
The Scot Gov, The Cops AND Brian Wilson MUST have all seen this coming, but decided to literally ” Play Along”, pandering to the Mob.
It would have been helpful, if The Scot Gov, SFA, SPL had ALL stated beforehand that any mass gatherings would possibly see Sevco itself severely PUNISHED, especially during a Pandemic ?
As for Celtic supporters hitting the streets etc in Celebration of 10 in a row, I can recall any serious trouble breaking out, Business’s being forced to close etc, when Thousands of we Celtic supporters lined the streets for the Triple Treble Bus Parade….Which was STOPPED by the Cops before it go as far as The Saltmarket. Despite there being Thousands of Celtic supporters on the streets in celebration, the Police had little or NO Trouble in RULING that the Bus Parade MUST be STOPPED, DESPITE the Numbers !
Police Scotland claimed it was stopped because some Fans were literally ” On the Street”…helalth and safety and all that BULL.
I would be interested in hearing Mr Wilsons views ( or anyone else’s view), on how Police Scotland can manage to DISPERSE THOUSANDS of Celtic supporters at literally a minutes notice ( I know because I was there on The Saltmarket), yet when a same decision is required in relation to the Hun Hordes….THEY get a Police Escort to march to wherever they like ?
HH mate.
Good luck big Kris.
If Ajer goes, I’ll wish him all the best. Just make sure we get a decent price for him.
Neither Ajer nor VVD could lace George Connolly’s boots, either in midfield or defence.
Drew1967
Agree with that. Teams are so well organised now. You need to be able to drag opponents out of position and disrupt their shape. That’s what Ajer can do. If we had been better coached we could have made more of that.
Good luck kris
martim
.yeh i got the note fortunately 2 full tubs still in freezer.😊🖒
Apricale
jack nicholson speech is quality.ta for that
hh
As for Celtic supporters hitting the streets etc in Celebration of 10 in a row, I can recall any serious trouble breaking out, Business’s being forced to close etc, when
……………
Apologises, that should have read…” I can NOT recall etc”
Should also say well done to Ronny Deila for having an eye for a player.
DREW1967 on 4TH JUNE 2021 1:41 PM
I Iike guys who run with ball and commit opposition players.thats Ajers best quality.if somebody can toughen him and teach him to stay on his feet when defending it will improve him big time
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One concern for me about AJER . When running back towards goal instead of timing to tackle with his left and sweep it out , he invariably put his right leg out at an angle that left it planted , hes a lucky boy no-one fell on it resulting in a break .
Dragging people out of position and running at people , there was none better than Stuart Armstrong in recent years .
VVD is/was a class defender who can play a bit too, Ajer, whom I like as a player, isn’t close to VVD level, someone will make him into a great player not sure it’ll be as a defender, but you never know.
An observation, not a negative jibe, we seem to be lining up our ducks for selling players but given the “eternity” t takes for us to sign replacements I’m not that optimistic about our progression in the euro qualifiers especially given our fragility at the back, gk, full back, centre back etc we could always play with a false defence (as anyone tried that) and just try and keep the ball with 8 midfielders (including winger) a gk (take your pick) and two strikers (if we have two left)
Having abandoned our strategy in favour of 10 in a row, we’ll not get anything like the full price for any of our talent who would not sign extended contracts last year and have only a year now on their contracts. So hoping for or demanding a good price is not realistic. If we’re lucky there might be a bit of a bidding war with one or two. We’ll take what were offered – or keep the player and get nothing next year, though that could be more trouble than it’s worth.
Burnley 78
I actually suggested in 2019 the Swansea manager at the time Graham Potter.
Also a few weeks ago coincidentally I suggested the current Swansea manager Steve Cooper.
They seem to be a club that have a decent record of recruitment.
I wouldn’t qualify for the position of CEO as I’m not smart enough and also unable to work due to health reasons.
HH
Ajer is a tremendous player ,playing out of position and poor coaching is not the Bhoys fault
Would you take McTimoney of Man U ,Ajer is twice the player he is .
Maybe he just feels loved at Oosende.
If he read CQN before he might just think no way back with them.
ps, I thought he played well for Scotland other night, more than just the goal getting him air time.
Lyndon B Johnson was once quoted as saying that Jerry Ford had played;
“too many football games without a helmet” That’s Grid Iron of course.
Harsh but probably true. Though Jerry did pardon Nixon to be fair.
Knowing what we know now, or are beginning to know, or knowing what we don’t know the smart footballer would avoid heading the ball unless he absolutely has to. Wouldn’t practice it much either unless he was using a balloon. Big Kris is one of the smartest footballers out there, so I don’t blame him too much for not being the new Billy McNeill, the finest header of a ball I ever did see. But he is better than most on here give him credit for, some it must be said who wouldn’t recognise a fitba if it bounced aff their er proverbial heid.
dazedandconfusedcsc
APRICALE on 4TH JUNE 2021 12:46 PM
Regarding “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”. Jack accepted his BATTA Award for (for Chinatown and The Last Detail) of the set of Cuckoo’s Nest. It’s the best award acceptance ever, video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtHI0ipkgEo
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deserves a repost ,brilliant.hh
GO TELL THE SPARTIM on 4TH JUNE 2021 2:11 PM
I think the “false defence” formation was tried all last season.
KRIS –
Smashing big player and model young pro who we will miss immensely; one of only few who was enterprising PLUS vocal and physical when his team-mates were getting a bit left on them by opposition players.
If Frimpong is worth 11mill – never a defender btw – then Ajer is worth 20m+ Anything less is asset mismanagement.
He’s given us great service but he and others must look around at our stuttering transition phase and say “Don’t think so.”
Bye Kris – enjoyed watching most of your contributions and may you go on to better and bigger things, HH
PS Wonder if pairing Alex Neil w Angie P would be a smart move to give us both a Scottish connection, familiarity with purchase prospects from the English game and have a fallback if fans develop an Ange-ina like condition if our Greek god doesnt get off to a flyer?
HH
Hhmm.
The “he’s not that good” mindset is prominent today.
Guys, seriously – have you watched any of the following EPL centre backs recently?
Michael Keane, £30m
Eric Bailly, £30m
Caglar Soyuncu, £20m
Calum Chambers, £16m
What’s with them negative waves?
Kris is a star in waiting.
back to basic
Aceh, £40 mill from relegated Bournemouth to Man City.
Unlucky with injuries this season and a good all round player.
Not twice the player big Kris is.
Quadrophenian
That’s a damn fine idea.
I think we need ‘something’ to bridge the gap between incoming manager and UK football.
Alex would have a fair knowledge of the transfer market in which we’d be operating
UNCLE JIMMY – glad you agree: I think it would salve some of the ‘Angest’ permeating the support.
Think I heard in dispatches that Alex has Celtic in his heart ??
I understand that Paul is doing the big sell on KA.
But in my opinion VVD was and is on a different level from KA.
TT
QUADROPHENIAN & UNCLE JIMMY
Unfortunately I think that position will be taken up by John Kennedy & Gavin Strachan. The real concerning thing is that the people who have carried out our abysmal recruitment will still be in place.
Interesting fact about One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. It was a play before it was a film, and the role of McMurphy on the stage was fulfilled by one Kirk Douglas. The film was produced by his son, Michael Douglas, so everyone including Kirk thought he was a shoe-in for the role. Michael, of course, discarded his own father and cast Jack Nicholson in what would become his career defining role.
Kirk never went as far as to say it was unforgiveable, and he acknowledged he probably couldn’t have matched Nicholson’s performance, but he took that disappointment to his grave.
Great film, as are Chinatown and The Last Detail.
APRICALE on 4TH JUNE 2021 12:46 PM
I agree. An exceptional `Thank You` moment. Brilliant and in keeping with the to notch quality of ` Cuckoo`s Nest`.