KRISTOFFER AJER is confident Celtic are ready for the Italian job at the Olympic Stadium in Rome tomorrow night.
The Hoops defender acknowledged the team will face a wounded Lazio who will be looking to exact revenge following last month’s Europa League Group E loss at Parkhead.
The Serie A cracks led 1-0 before Ryan Christie swept in an opportunistic equaliser and and Christopher Jullien, with his first goal for the club since his £7million summer shift from Toulouse, claimed the points with a 90th-minute header.
Fraser Forster also denied the Italians with two magnificent saves, particularly the breathtaking swoop in the fading moments of stoppage time to beat away a pulverising volley from substitute Danmilo Cataldi.
Ajer is now prepared for a searching examination from their opponents in another crucial European encounter.
EURO STAR…Christopher Jullien heads in the winner gains Lazio.
The Norwegian international centre-back, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “It was great we managed to beat them at Celtic Park, but, at the same time, you have to be humble. We know we are facing one of the best teams in Europe in their own stadium.
“Italy will provide a great challenge for us. We know that we are going there and Lazio have to win the match. But we have a really good chance of winning, also.
“I have never played in Italy, so it’s going to be something new for me. Obviously, it is going to be a tough game. Lazio are a very good team.
“We know they are a top, top side and have the ability to hurt you on their day if you are not fully ready for them, so it is down to us to perform as strongly as we can in Rome.”
Ajer is set to come up against Serie A’s leading marksman Ciro Immobile, but added: “There are so many attacking players in the Lazio squad. It’s not just him.
“So, you know you are going to have to be on top of your game no matter who plays for them.”
Neil Lennon’s men go into the game top of the section with seven points and they know a victory in the Italian capital will almost certainly guarantee a place in the knock-out stages of the competition next year.
