NORWEGIAN defender Kristoffer Ajer, has warned his Celtic colleagues they face a “great” team in Rosenborg in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.
Despite having Jozo Simunovic sent off in the 10th minute, Brendan Rodgers’ side safely manoeuvred their way past the first hurdle of Europe’s premier competition with a 6-0 aggregate victory over the Armenians of Alashkert, winning 3-0 in both legs.
Now the Hoops face the Norwegian champions in the first leg at Parkhead on Wednesday with the return due in Trondheim a week later.
Ajer insists his fellow-countrymen will present a far greater problem than their first round opponents.
He said:”Rosenborg are a really tough opponent with a lot of quality players. They will be really tough games, home and away.
“When you play Champions League qualifiers, you meet quality opponents.
“I know Rosenborg really well. Last year, they beat Ajax in the last round to go through to the Europa League group stage, so they are a really top side and can really hurt you if you’re not 100 per cent up for the game.
“They are a typical Scandinavian team. They are well organised and have a good squad, so I think that’s their biggest strength.
“It’s a well-built team with a manager who has been there for many years.”
Celtic defeated Rosenborg 1-0 on aggregate in the Champions League qualifiers last season and Brendan Rodgers is aware of the threat they pose.
The Irishman added: “They have made some changes, but their system is very much the same. They play 4-3-3 and like to pass the ball.
“I think they’ll come here, similar to last year, and be very compact, very tight and try and not concede.”
