Former Celtic defender and treble winner Kristoffer Ajer made a welcome return to Celtic Park tonight as he took in the Hoops’ Scottish Cup clash against Raith Rovers.
The Norwegian, who now plays for Brentford in the English Premier League, had a free weekend due to FA Cup fixtures taking precedence. With Brentford already knocked out in the previous round following a shock defeat to Plymouth, Ajer took the opportunity to visit his old club.
The towering centre-back spent five years at Celtic, winning multiple league titles, domestic cups, and playing a key role in securing the historic quadruple treble.
His most iconic moment in the Hoops came in the 2020 Scottish Cup final against Hearts, where he stepped up to take the decisive penalty in the shootout. With the pressure on, Ajer made no mistake, smashing the ball past former teammate Craig Gordon to ensure Celtic completed an unprecedented four seasons of domestic dominance.
Since leaving for Brentford in 2021, Ajer has become a regular in the Premier League and continues to represent Norway at international level. However, his bond with Celtic remains strong, and he has always spoken fondly of his time in Glasgow. His return to Celtic Park tonight was another reminder of that connection, as he soaked up the familiar atmosphere and watched his old team in action.
Celtic fans still hold Ajer in high regard, remembering his commitment, passion, and defensive quality during his time at the club.
It’s always a special moment when a former player comes back to visit, especially one who played such a pivotal role in the club’s recent history. No doubt, Ajer received a warm welcome from those in attendance as he enjoyed another night under the lights at Paradise.
