Kristoffer Ajer will miss Celtic’s trip to AEK Athens next week after picking up a yellow card on Wednesday night.
The Hoops have already had to patch together a number of bizarre defensive line-ups this summer and one of Brendan Rodgers’ most trusted performers will not be in contention to start in Greece next Tuesday.
Ajer received a yellow card minutes into the second half for a misjudged tackle on a surging AEK attacker, just another blow on what was a fairly dismal night for the young Norwegian.
Previous cautions against Alashkert and Rosenborg mean he will miss the crucial second leg.
The 20-year-old was partly to blame for the away side’s goal in the 1-1 draw, failing to clear a cross that was then smashed into the net by Viktor Klonaridis.
He has started all six games so far at the start of the season, clearly a massive part of Rodgers’ plans, so despite his error losing him is definitely a blow.
Options to replace the player next week include Jozo Simunovic and Dedryck Boyata, although the former wasn’t fancied last night despite being available and Boyata is lacking match fitness having not yet played since returning from his post-World Cup holiday.
The suspension puts more pressure on a stretched defensive line and will raise more questions about the depth of talent at the back.
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