Brendan was amazing for me... will he be a success second time around at Celts? 100 PER CENT

KRISTOFFER AJER was thrilled to be back in Scotland among old friends at the weekend.

-  MICHAEL GANNON

And he's every bit as delighted to see his old gaffer Brendan Rodgers return to Celtic.

The ex-Hoops defender returned to his former Hampden stomping ground on Sunday as his Norwegian side made it a thrilling end to the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a 3-3 draw.

Ajer's nation will be at home next summer watching the Scots but the Brentford ace is also keeping tabs on his old club.

The big stopper knows a thing or two about going back to the future - just like Rodgers.

It was the Irishman who fast-tracked the 6ft 5in former Start wunderkind into a more defensive role after he pitched up at Parkhead as a 16-year-old midfield prospect in 2016.

Rodgers sent Ajer to Kilmarnock on loan with the plan of helping him find his feet at centre half- under the expert guidance of now Scotland manager Steve Clarke.

He returned to become a major part in the Rodgers success story first time around incredibly hoovering up three Trebles on the spin during his time in Scotland.

His levels soared and he eventually matured into a top defender in the English Premier League after a £14million move to Brentford.

Ajer reckons his former manager played a huge role in his success and he's convinced Rodgers going back for the future at Celtic means it will be blockbuster business as usual.

He said: "It was special to come back to Scotland. I loved my time here so it was great to be back again.