Ex-Celtic defender Kris Ajer reveals his toughest opponent ‘by far’ as he swipes away ‘bad habits’ claim
FORMER Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer insists he didn't pick up any 'bad habits' in Scottish football and reckons he's getting better every week at Brentford.
Norway boss Stale Solbakken caused a stir earlier this year when he claimed Ajer had picked up bad habits while playing for Celtic because he wasn't getting challenged.
Ajer completed a £13.5 million move to Brentford in the summer and has impressed so far at his time in the London club.
But he refuted claims he would have gone backwards if he stayed with the Hoops.
He said: "For my part, I don't think I had any bad habits at Celtic.
"You have to remember that I am still developing. I am 23-years-old and have not actually played for many years as a defender.
"I have many years ahead of me where I can learn a lot and get better.
"I think what Stale meant was that I had to take the next step and I have. I now play in a fantastic league where I am challenged week in and week out.
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"I am happy with the start I have made. We have defended well as a team.
"And I have come up against incredible players. For example, I was up against Mohamed Salah the other week, who was extraordinary and by far the best player I have ever played against."
The Canadian, who spent six years in Perth, is now a coach with Vancouver Whitecaps' academy.
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He's watched Gauld improve the senior side almost single-handedly this season.
Steve Clarke will name his Scotland squad for the World Cup Qualifying matches against Moldova and Denmark next week.
Dasovic admits he's SHOCKED that former Dundee United prodigy hasn't already been selected for international duty by Steve Clarke.
He told the Dundee Courier: “You can see the improvement.
“He’s been a godsend. The fans love him to death.
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“He’s helping us along the road to the play-offs (and was man of the match in another win in midweek), which we haven’t been to for a few years.
“I’ll be honest, I’m shocked he hasn’t been called up for the Scottish national team already. I truly am.
“I watch Scotland play and, to be fair they are on a higher level than they’ve been in a long time, which is fantastic.
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“But I think Ryan deserves the chance to get his feet wet."
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