Kris Ajer turned in his worst performance of the season in front of scouts from Newcastle United at Ibrox yesterday.
A report in The Sun claims that scouts, plural, from the EPL side were at yesterday’s derby clash as Celtic crumbled to a 4-1 defeat.
Over the last year scouting has become more virtual than ever but if Steve Bruce had his men in Glasgow yesterday their report wouldn’t make for constructive reading.
Just past the half hour mark Ajer ducked out of challenging Alfredo Morelos as he took a shot at goal. Early in the second half Scott Bain saved his blushes, saving an incredible back-pass. Kemar Roofe outjumped the Norwegian for the third goal with the misery continuing.
The Sun reports:
NEWCASTLE have stepped up their interest in Kristoffer Ajer with a spying mission to Glasgow. SunSport can reveal Toon scouts were at Ibrox to run the rule over the 23-year-old Celtic centre-half.
They witnessed Ajer and his hapless Hoops team-mates crash to a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Rangers. But it’s understood Magpies boss Steve Bruce is still ready to push the button on a deal to bring the Norwegian international to St James’ Park.
Norwich are also eyeing a move for a player Celtic rate at £8milllion. Ajer is in the final year of his contract and looks destined to quit the club he joined in 2016.
To be fair Ajer has been Celtic’s best central defender all season while Chris Jullien and Shane Duffy dropped in and out.
His Celtic career looks to be fizzling out but his penalty kick at Hampden in December delivered the 2020 Scottish Cup and the one sliver of success from a season that has made for grim viewing from day one.