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Celtic have enjoyed real success in recent weeks with Kristoffer Ajer at centre-back.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are leading the Scottish Premiership and have won four of their last five outings, the only blot coming in an emotional Old Firm derby against Steven Gerrard’s Rangers.
On the chalkboard
Ajer has played 90 minutes in the last two outings, in 4-0 and 3-0 wins over St Mirren and Hamilton Academical respectively.
And the Norway international has filled in well, with Dedryck Boyata out injured.
Ajer, himself, has struggled with injuries this season – per Transfermarkt he missed four games with a hamstring injury across September and October – but had been in and out of the team prior to that.
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Boyata, meanwhile, also sustained a hamstring injury in November, missing five games, though he was restored to the XI for the games against Aberdeen and Rangers. In those two games, Celtic conceded four goals.
The former Manchester City centre-back was not even in the squad for the last two victories, with Ajer performing excellently in his stead, even making a goal-saving tackle in the victory over Hamilton.
Look to the future
Ajer is one of the hottest properties in Scotland and, at the age 20, already looks to be growing into a truly brilliant centre-back.
Rodgers has limited his appearances thus far, perhaps to protect his fitness, but he has now had his coming out party at Parkhead.
With Boyata seemingly falling down the pecking order, with his time at the club running out, it would make sense for the ex-Liverpool boss to start looking to the future and trust in Ajer.
The youngster, who has also won six caps for Norway, is the Scottish champions’ next big hope, and he needs minutes if he is to fulfil his burgeoning potential.