Former Norwegian internationalist Vidar Riseth believes that Kristoffer Ajer would be a shrewd acquisition by Celtic.

The Hoops have invited the 17-year-old to train at Lennoxtown this week as Ronny Deila looks to bolster his squad in the current transfer window.

Ajer is somewhat sought after given that he has already captain Start in the Norwegian league - with whom he has a year remaining on his current deal – and his precocious performances have brought him to the attention of Liverpool, Spurs and Roma while he is also believed to be wanted in his homeland by Rosenborg.

Start’s financial problems could mean that Celtic get him for a reasonable fee and while Riseth brackets the youngster as one of Norway’s brightest prospects, he does expect that the teenager would still need time to adapt to the different pace at Celtic.

“He is still a kid and you just never know with young players how it is going to go,” he said. “But certainly he is one of our big prospects and I absolutely think that Celtic would be a great move for him.

“There are lots of clubs who have looked at him. I know that Ronny [Deila] has seen him over here in Norway but the fact that he has invited him to train would suggest that he wants to wants to see how he fits in with the rest of the group.

“It is one thing to be playing in front of maybe 3,000 supports at Start when you are a great player in a team who are at the bottom of the league to then going to a club where the stadium holds 60,000, there is lots of quality and there is pressure on you every time you walk onto the pitch.

“I am not sure that anyone can make the prediction on behalf of any player at this age that they can deal with that. Certainly, he has the ability and potential to be a top player but first you have to realise that potential.

“It is the same with Martin [Odegaard] at real Madrid. We all know his talent and we can see how much potential he has but it is not always so straightforward when you are at a top club.”

It is in that respect that Riseth believes Ajer would be schooled into the first-team by Deila.

The Celtic manager has been criticised for his inflexible tactical approach and the rigidity with which he sticks to it, but his strengths appear to lie in working with players on the training ground.

Leigh Griffiths has improved under the tutelage of the Norwegian while Kieran Tierney has also been given his chance in the first-team this season, including on significant European nights.

“One thing about Ronny is that he has a good track record of getting the best out of young talent and this is probably the right time for Kristoffer to think of going,” said Riseth.

“Ronny is the kind of manager who can get the best out of him without putting him under too much pressure. He is sensible that way. It is also probably good for the player now to have a different challenge although I do know that there has been strong interest from Rosenburg too.

“Start are in a position where they want to sell him for financial reasons. They have struggled financially, even though they managed to stay in the top flight last season, but they are bottom of the league and the money from his sale is needed.”

Every move that Deila makes now has to be with one eye on the summer qualifying rounds for the UEFA Champions League.

Whether or not Ajer is a player who would sit comfortably in that company given his youth is a question that Deila may need to mull over at the minute but certainly the 17-year-old would appear to be a solid prospect.

“He has had a lot of first-team experience, even although he is still only 17,” said Riseth. “He is definitely a very good player, very solid. He has already captained his club and he has a really strong reputation now in Norway.

“Big things are expected of him. To me, Celtic would be a great move for him.

“I know the club and I know the supporters and it can be a great place to play football. But the important thing is to get the club back at the top level of competing with the best in European football.

“It is difficult to predict at this age that Kristoffer is one of those players who can help Celtic get to that level but he certainly has the potential to do it. His next move can be so important and a coach like Ronny who is progressive and who has a strong record getting the best out of young players would be a good move for him.”