Kristoffer Ajer impressed with his development at Celtic
Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer believes he has come of age in 2017 and is continuing to improve under boss Brendan Rodgers.
The 19-year-old signed from Norwegian outfit Start on a four-year deal in 2016 and was loaned out to Kilmarnock for the second part of last season.
He returned to Parkhead in the summer and was impressive alongside central-defensive partner Dedryck Boyata in the 3-0 Ladbrokes Premiership win over Aberdeen on Saturday.
The victory at Celtic Park stretched the Hoops' lead at the top of the table over the second-placed Dons to eight points and they prepare to travel to Dundee on Boxing Day before an Old Firm derby against Rangers at Parkhead next Saturday.
Rodgers described Ajer's performance as ''brilliant'' before the teenager reflected on the importance of the last 12 months and his manager to his career.
''2017 has been my best year in terms of improvement,'' said the Norway Under-21 player.
''When I came here I was a young boy and now I feel I am coping well with how the gaffer wants me to play and how the team is playing.
It feels really good to play games here for Celtic.
It is such a fantastic club, playing in front of 60,000 on Saturday was unbelievable.
He (Rodgers) believes in everyone, he believes in me and that is a really good feeling.
Celtic is a massive club and there are so many good players here and they are performing well in every game.
You just have to train hard every day and when you get your chance you have to take it.''
Ajer returned to the side after Hearts beat Celtic 4-0 at Tynecastle last week to end the Hoops' 69-game domestic unbeaten run and the champions have kept clean sheets in the 2-0 midweek win over Partick Thistle and against the men from the Granite City.
The Norwegian youngster, who has featured four times in December, said: ''We beat Aberdeen, who are a really good team, 3-0 so we have really bounced back.
Aberdeen did a great job at the beginning of the game and it was a tough game but now we are looking forward to Dundee.''