Central defenders and Champions League qualifiers just don’t seem to be easy bedfellows as far as Celtic are concerned.
For months supporters had speculated and fretted over a defence of Ralston, Welsh, Bitton and Taylor playing in the opening matches of the season.
That scenario slowly fell into place, the final part became clear when Brentford’s interest in Kris Ajer got serious with the Norwegian missing Celtic’s pre-season matches with a medical undertaken on the day Celtic squared up to Midtjylland.
Both full-backs turned in decent performances, Stephen Welsh was man of the match for many fans but just when he was needed to turn in a solid, drama-free performance Nir Bitton needlessly picked up a second yellow card to drop his younger team-mates in at the deep end.
Dane Murray put in a very decent 50 minute debut but Bitton’s red card proved to be a turning point in the game. Goalscorer Liel Abada was replaced, the shape of Ange Postecoglou’s side was altered and much of the first half momentum was lost.
Anders Dreyer balanced the sides up with his own red card early in the second half but Midtjylland equalised leaving Celtic facing the second leg with Murray starting the match and Greg Taylor as their most experienced defender.
Ajer should finalise his Brentford move today, one fanciful Celtic fan is hoping that Brentford might decide to add another defender to their Scottish shopping list.
Do they want Bitton too? Well give the €15million to Brentford to take him.
— ????32??llini?? (@sc32ie) July 20, 2021
Good piece of business for both. Ajer steps up a league and Celtic make a tidy profit. Wish him and Brentford all the best. Hopefully he’s instrumental in keeping them up.
— JJ? (@TheGrimJay) July 20, 2021
Started from the bottom, now we’re here pic.twitter.com/OyhWAGco1r
— Chris?? (@Utd7chris) July 20, 2021
Incredible signing by Brentford, I’m surprised no other team has managed to get Ajer!
— Kierxn ? (@KierxnOfficial) July 20, 2021