Celtic: Fans unimpressed with Kristoffer Ajer’s performance against Motherwell

Celtic maintained their seven-point lead at the top of the Premiership on Wednesday night in resounding fashion to remain on course for a ninth successive league title, romping to a 4-0 win away to Motherwell. However, that didn’t stop plenty of Hoops fans on social media from slating the performance of centre-back Kristoffer Ajer.

The Norwegian made his 40th appearance of the season in the match at Fir Park and started his 23rd Premiership match of the campaign, with Celtic manager Neil Lennon preserving with his 3-5-2 formation for the third game in succession. However, there were some concerning aspects to the 21-year-old’s performance, with the defender coming to the game off the back of criticism from some supporters over his display at Hamilton last Sunday.

David Walton of 67hailhail.com noted how a careless pass from Ajer gifted the home side a first half opportunity that they failed to seize upon, writing that “the back three continues to bring out errors in him” and lamenting his “sloppiness”. Read Celtic writer Amy Canavan gave him a lowly five in her player ratings and wrote that he “should’ve been stronger in the first half” and “was beaten easily” on what was “not his finest display”.

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These Celtic fans on Twitter were also critical of the Norwegian defender over his performance against Motherwell, with one supporter feeling that the 21-year-old “gets bullied” too easily:

https://twitter.com/Ants_K/status/1225156753886715908

Exactly mate. Ajer is very poor at CB also gets bullied, his positioning is brutal and he makes so many mistakes. Goes to ground needlessly 99% of the time as well.

— Derek Crawford (@deeko1978) February 5, 2020

https://twitter.com/SDair3/status/1225348769287417857

https://twitter.com/P__67/status/1225156973487951872

I’m not sure Ajer is 100% certain where he’s supposed to be in a back 3. His recent poor form has coincided with a back 3

— Harry Brady (@HarryBradyCU) February 5, 2020