Kristoffer Ajer '˜not worried' by Ronny Deila's Celtic exit

CELTIC new boy Kristoffer Ajer has spoken about his impending arrival in Glasgow and Ronny Deila's summer exit from the club.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd May 2016, 12:57 BST
Updated 2nd May 2016, 14:02 BST

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Kristoffer Ajer isn't too concerned that compatriot Ronny Deila will no longer be at Celtic when he joins the club. Picture: SNS GroupKristoffer Ajer isn't too concerned that compatriot Ronny Deila will no longer be at Celtic when he joins the club. Picture: SNS Group
Kristoffer Ajer isn't too concerned that compatriot Ronny Deila will no longer be at Celtic when he joins the club. Picture: SNS Group

The towering midfielder, who signed a four-year deal with the Hoops in February, joins from Norwegian outfit IK Start, but told a Norwegian newspaper that his countryman’s departure from Celtic would not affect him

Ajer told Nettavisen Sport: “Ronny leaving is no great disadvantage to me. He’s a fantastic coach and he’ll be missed, but I can’t waste any energy on it.

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• READ MORE: Five things you should know about Kristoffer Ajer

“I’ll arrive to a new coach who will look at everyone the same, and good performances will decide whether or not I play.”

Ajer, 18, played in Start’s 2-2 draw with Deila’s former club Stromsgodset, and has made over 50 appearances for the Tippeligaen outfit.

He was also appointed captain of Start at the age of just 16.

• READ MORE: Kristoffer Ajer displays maturity far beyond his tender years

Ajer has said previously that he was ‘comfortable’ as the Norwegian side’s skipper, adding: “I look at myself as a captain whether I have the armband or not because I always scream and demand everything from myself and the rest of the players.

“I’m not scared of saying ‘this is me and this is what I stand for’. Now I have to prove myself good enough at Celtic and I am not going to hide behind the rest of the squad.

“I’m told the demands are high here and I am ready for that. I’m ready to try and win every weekend. That’s why I signed. You have to win silverware every year at Celtic and that is what I want to do.”

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While able to play in central defence, it is expected that Ajer will perform in the defensive midfield role when he joins Celtic - although he has been utilised as an auxiliary striker in recent games for Start.

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Related topics:Kristoffer AjerCelticGlasgow