KRISTOFFER AJER is looking forward to working flat-out in Celtic training HQ in Dubai this week.
The 20-year-old Norwegian central defender realises the benefits of thorough work-outs with Brendan Rodgers and the coaching staff – something that can be denied the squad during the rigours of week-in, week-out competition.
Ajer said: “The facilities are great here and we’re looking forward to a good week of training.
“It’s good because we don’t usually have so many opportunities to train so hard during the season because of the amount of games we’ve had in the first half of the campaign.
“So, to come here and get in some really good sessions will really benefit the whole squad in terms of fitness.
“It’s really positive to have this winter break and, hopefully, we can push on for the rest of the season.”
The skyscraper defender added: “It was a really exciting year for me. I played a lot of games and won some trophies, so last year means a lot to me.
“But I also know I have a lot of work still to do to develop as a footballer, which is really exciting, as well as knowing that I can learn so much from everyone here – the gaffer, all the staff and the rest of the players.
“Hopefully, we can have a really good week in Dubai and come back really fit and perform well in the second half of the season.”
Ajer has settled in at the heart of the Hoops rearguard which has seen several formations forced upon Rodgers in a campaign where they have lost four of their away Premiership games.
Dedryck Boyata, Jozo Simunovic, Filip Benkovic and Jack Hendry have all been utilised through injuries and suspensions, but the changes have hardly helped stablise the backline.
The Hoops gaffer will aim to rectify that when the team return to action with a Scottish Cup-tie against Airdrie at parkhead later this month.
And international centre-half Ajer is eager to play his part in the team winning a historic treble treble.
* Ajer was speaking to the club website.
