Latest news with #Ajer
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Josh Doig rekindles Celtic transfer interest as Kristoffer Ajer return route emerges
The former Hibs defender has been a long-term target for the Hoops Kieran Tierney is only just in the door at Celtic Park but Brendan Rodgers is wasting no time targeting another left-back. The Hoops have bolstered their backline by clinching a sensational return for fans' favourite KT from Arsenal on a five-year deal. Tierney, 28, will be one of the first names on Celtic's team sheet as the Scotland international rejoins his boyhood club at his prime. However, the defender's injury record coupled with Greg Taylor's likely exit, means that Celts are in the market for cover. And multiple reports have suggested that the Scottish champions are set to revive their interest in ex- Hibs starlet Josh Doig. Doig, 23, left Easter Road for Serie A side Hellas Verona in a £3million transfer back in 2022 and instantly caught the eye in Italy. After a dream switch to Marseille collapsed at the 11th hour, Doig joined Sassuolo for £5m in January 2024 but couldn't save the club from relegation. However, the full-back was a key figure in helping Sassuolo land promotion from Serie B at the first time of asking, making 31 appearances. Doig has been on Celtic's transfer radar since he first broke through at Hibs and now, it's claimed that the Double-winners are weighing up an offer. Meanwhile former Treble hero Kristoffer Ajer has been told to find another club by Norway manager Stale Solbakken, according to Sky Sports. The towering stopper, 27, endured an injury-hit campaign for Brentford, starting just twice since the March international break. Under contract until 2028, Ajer may feel he'll be given a clean slate by his next boss as Thomas Frank prepares to take over Tottenham. Ajer - who lifted nine major honours at Parkhead - left Celtic for the Bees in a £13.5m switch four years ago. The 43-times capped star made his big career breakthrough under Rodgers and his potential availability has set tongues wagging amongst the green-and-white faithful. Elsewhere, Record Sport understands Celtic are keeping close tabs on Lennon Miller's situation and were in contact with the Motherwell board in the last window. The Scotland new boy has been linked with a list of European clubs including Eintracht Frankfurt and Royal Union St Gilloise and the Steelman have already turfed out bids from Udinese and Gilloise. It's believed Celtic have also scouted Hearts' James Penrice, but won't necessarily pursue a deal for the left-back.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic Treble hero told to find a NEW CLUB by his international boss as he demands positional change
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EX-CELTIC star Kris Ajer has been told to find a new club by his national team boss. The Norwegian defender left Celtic for Brentford in 2021 after making 176 appearances for the Hoops. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Kris Ajer left Celtic for Brentford for a fee of £13.5million Credit: The Sun 2 After four years at Brentford, his national team manager has told him he needs to find a move away from the Bees Credit: Getty Life at Brentford started bright for Ajer, as he made 28 appearances in his first season in England. Injuries have hampered the 27-year-old's Brentford career since then however. Ajer has been playing out of position when he has been fit in recent times, with manager Thomas Frank using the six-foot-five Norway international as a right-back. Ståle Solbakken, manager of the Norway national team, has told Ajer he needs to leave Brentford and England if he wants to improve. He told NRK: "He can be a very good and stable centre-back, and he was today, but he has to change clubs. "He cannot play right-back in every third game if he is to be a proper, safe and good centre-back. Because he has all the prerequisites. 'I think Ajer would have been better suited to playing centre-back in another league. "He has had some tough injuries in England. He will never be a super right-back, at the same level he is as a centre-back. "At the age he is now, I think he is allowed to put his foot down. You can't be a 'cover' right-back at his age now." Ajer has played less than half of the minutes available to him this season with Brentford. Celtic ace Vakoun Bayo dances for his team-mates but Kristoffer Ajer isn't impressed He was originally a midfielder in his early days at Celtic, but matured into a fine central defender for the Hoops. Ajer won three league titles, and the same amount of Scottish Cups and Scottish League Cups during his time in Hoops as he won the treble-treble. He netted the Hoops a whopping £13.5million transfer fee when he left for the Bees. Manager Thomas Frank looks set for Spurs after the sacking of another ex-Celt, Ange Postecoglu, with the Aussie linked with the Brentford job. Whoever takes the job will likely have a fight to keep Ajer at the club. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The National
4 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Norwegian boss tells ex-Celtic star to change clubs
It comes after the 27-year-old played just three times for Brentford at the centre of defence last season. Solbakken would like Ajer to turn out in his natural position more regularly, and thus thinks he should leave the Premier League outfit. Read more: The boss spoke after his side's 3-0 win over Italy last Friday evening, in which the ex-Celt completed 90 minutes at centre half. "He can be a very good and stable centre-back, and he was today, but he has to change clubs," said Solbakken [Sport Witness]. "He cannot play right-back in every third game if he is to be a proper, safe and good centre-back. Because he has all the prerequisites. "I think Ajer would have been better suited to playing centre-back in another league. He has had some tough injuries in England. "He will never be a super right-back, at the same level as he is as a centre-back. At the age he is now, I think he is allowed to put his foot down. You can't be a 'cover' right-back at his age now. "Many people get angry with me when I say things like that publicly, but I think we should be a little honest about it. Not that I'm going to interfere with Brentford selling him, but he's at an age and is a type of player who can develop into a very stable, good defender at a high level."
