KRISTOFFER AJER has become such an important player for Celtic. He shows so much maturity on the park for one so young, and it is easy to forget that he is still only 21 years of age.

Neil Lennon will be praying that he is fit to face Rangers tomorrow because he is such a presence in the side, and he has become such an accomplished performer.

He has been playing out of position at right-back recently due to injuries elsewhere, but you would never know it such has been the ease at which he has adapted to the full-back position.

He is so comfortable on the ball and is such a good athlete that he could probably play just about anywhere and do a turn for the side. He is just a good footballer.

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Before he left the club, Kieran Tierney was earmarked as the natural replacement for Scott Brown as captain when the skipper finally calls it a day, but in my view Ajer is now the natural choice to step into that void should he remain at Celtic. I realise that is a big if, because big clubs all around Europe can't have failed to notice just how much of a talent that Celtic have on their hands here.

He is a leader, he is a talker, and he is an example that other players will look up to. Let's hope he is here for many years to come, and maybe one day, we will see him with that armband.