Kristoffer Ajer insists sinking Rangers with a controversial winner at Hampden made the 2019 League Cup triumph even sweeter.
The former Hoops ace will be roaring on his old club tomorrow and is hoping for a repeat of the Old Firm final clash from three seasons ago. Christopher Jullien made the difference despite protests from Gers he was offside, while keeper Fraser Forster was the hero with a stunning penalty save from Alfredo Morelos along with several more top stops.
Ajer admitted 10-men Celtic were not at their best – which made the victory all the more special. He said: “It was probably a horrific game to watch. It was a bit of a blur for me. We scored maybe a wee offside goal, which I loved! It was amazing. There’s nothing better. To have a missed penalty and an offside goal, it made a bad game very sweet! It’s one of the coolest celebrations I’ve ever seen. That knee slide was just spot on. It was incredible to see half the stadium going crazy. It was just a group of players who lived in the moment and took every game at a time. Even at 1-0 and down to 10 men we knew we could still grind it out.”
Celtic were under the cosh back in 2019 but Ajer insisted there was no way Rangers would get past Forster – even from the penalty spot. Speaking to the Celtic View podcast, Ajer said: “When Fraser had games like this there was no one better in the world.
“It’s probably crazy to say but I was quite calm because I knew he was going to save it because he was having the game of his life. He was like a wall to get through. It is one of the best performances I’ve ever seen live and I was lucky enough to watch if from so close. We could still be playing now and he would be saving everything.”
Ajer is hoping his old side can enjoy another memorable Old Firm win this weekend and he’d love to see close pal Greg Taylor bag another medal. He said: “I watch every Celtic game and he’s playing the best football I’ve ever seen him play. He had some moments when he went like a madman in training. I used to try and annoy him in training so I could see his dark eyes which I loved. Greg fits perfectly into Ange’s way of playing football.”
Ajer left Celts in a £14m deal to Brentford soon after Postecoglou’s arrival but he was convinced the new Hoops boss would be a smash hit.
He said: “I only had three weeks with Ange, but I could tell he would be a massive success. The way Celtic are playing and Callum McGregor is leading, I am so happy for him as well because he is one of the most hard-working players I have ever met and he deserves everything he is getting, is amazing.
“Everyone is performing. They have players who have been there for a long time and new players who really get what it means to play for Celtic. I watch almost every game. So a cup final on Sunday between Celtic and Rangers? I will definitely be watching.”
