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It’s great to have Griff back in Hoops, says Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer

© Craig Williamson / SNS GroupCeltic's Leigh Griffiths and Kris Ajer
Celtic's Leigh Griffiths and Kris Ajer

Kristoffer Ajer says the return of Leigh Griffiths is a boost for all his Celtic team-mates – but especially Odsonne Edouard.

A scorer recently against both Partick Thistle and St Johnstone, the Scotland internationalist is expected to retain his place in the Hoops side at Hamilton this afternoon.

“It has been great to get Leigh back in the team,” said the Norwegian. “He looked sharp in Dubai and he has come back to score goals and that’s what he has been doing.

“He has been fantastic since the break. You saw his qualities against St Johnstone last Wednesday night.

“It wasn’t just his goal, but his build-up play as well. Leigh and Odsonne are linking so well as a pair right now, too.

“Leigh being fit takes the pressure off Odsonne. He has been brilliant since the start of the season, but having a partner to help him out is great.

“If they are both scoring, it is good for the whole team.”

Griffiths this week reiterated his desire to also get back in the Scotland squad with an appeal to national boss Steve Clarke for talks about his chances of making the Nations League play-offs in March.

A return to international duty for the striker would put him on a potential collision course with Ajer, as Norway are in the other semi-final, at home to Serbia.

Yet, if the big defender if concerned at the possibility, he hides it well.

“Both countries have to win their semi-final, so I haven’t thought too much about facing the Scottish boys here,” said the 21-year-old.

“It has been a long time since we made a finals and everyone is buzzing for it.

“I think the semi-final in Oslo is a sell-out already. That says a lot about the enthusiasm the fans have for it.

“We are hopeful we can get the results we need.

“The way we have been performing for the last two years has been a real boost for Norwegian football.

“We have not lost at the Ulleval, our home ground, and we were close to qualifying directly. It is an exciting time for us.”

Not least because of the form of Erling Braut Haaland, who set a Bundesliga record with his haul of five goals in his first two games for Borussia Dortmund.

“He did it in under an hour’s play which at the level is incredible,” said Ajer.

“It is great to see Norwegian players doing well, and I am sure he will do well for the national team.”