Kristoffer Ajer’s hamstring injury has been felt badly in Norway.
The young defender has quickly become a key player in his international side who have crucial matches next month against Slovenia and Bulgaria.
Ajer returned to the Celtic side against St Johnstone after missing two matches through injury but now looks like sitting out the whole of October after last night’s hamstring injury in the first half of Celtic’s Betfred Cup win over St Johnstone.
???? Brendan Rodgers speaking to #CelticTV after progressing to the semi-final of the #BetfredCup. pic.twitter.com/aamnjIUVMP
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 26, 2018
Norway boss Per Joar Hansen told The Sun: “Kristoffer being out of these games is a disaster for us, he is already a very important player.
“We will check with Celtic’s doctors but it certainly seems there is no chance of him making these games.
“Now we will have to look at alternatives but it’s certainly not good for us to lose a player of his quality.”
Jack Hendry replaced Ajer in the St Johnstone match and is in line to keep his place against Aberdeen on Saturday.
Jozo Simunovic and Filip Benkovic were both absent from the match at Perth with no clear indication when they might be ready to return.
Dedryck Boyata will have to serve a one match ban following his red card against St Johnstone but it’s unclear whether that suspension will be in the Betfred Cup or SPFL Premiership.