Kristoffer Ajer reveals Brendan Rodgers traits that has him convinced Celtic success repeat is inevitable

Kristoffer Ajer admitted he was thrilled to be back in Scotland among old friends at the weekend.

And he’s every bit as delighted to see his old gaffer Brendan Rodgers return to Celtic. The ex-Hoops defender returned to his former Hampden stomping ground on Sunday as his Norwegian side made it a thrilling end to the Euro qualifying campaign. Ajer’s nation will be at home next summer watching the Scots but the Brentford ace is also keeping tabs on his old club.

The big stopper knows a thing or two about going back to the future – just like Rodgers. It was the Irishman who fast tracked the 6ft 5in from IK Start wonder kid into a more defensive role after he pitched up at Parkhead as a 16-year-old midfield prospect. Rodgers sent Ajer to Kilmarnock on loan with the plan of helping him find his feet at centre half- under the expert guidance of now Scotland boss Steve Clarke.

He returned to become a major part in the Rodgers success story first time around – incredibly hoovering up three Trebles on the spin during his time in Scotland. His levels soared and he eventually matured into a top class defender in the English Premier League after a bumper £14m move to Brentford.

Ajer reckons his former manager played a huge role in his success – and he’s convinced Rodgers going back for the future at Celtic will mean it will be blockbuster business as usual.

He said: “It was special to come back to Scotland. I loved my time here so it was great to be back again. It’s great to see my old manager back at Celtic as well and to see them doing so well again.

"I am really happy for them because Celtic will always be special to me.

“Brendan was amazing for me, the way he helped me, the way he spoke to me. The one-to-one conversations he