CELTIC defender Kristoffer Ajer has pleaded with manager Neil Lennon not to ring the changes for Thursday night’s match against Stade Rennais as they look to seal top spot in their Europa League group.
Ajer wants to keep the momentum flowing as Celtic look to extend a winning run that now stretches to 10 matches in all competitions following a routine 4-0 victory over Livingston on Saturday.
And the defender insists that nobody will be looking for a rest among the Celtic squad despite a punishing run of games between now and the winter break.
READ MORE: Watch: Highlights as Celtic beat Livingston 4-0 at Celtic Park
“Thursday is a massive game,” Ajer said. “We want to win the group and we can do it if we take the three points against Rennes.
“It’s important for us on both counts in the fact that we have ambitions to go far in Europe and if we win the group, we would meet a second placed team, but we also want to just keep winning and everyone wants to play.
“You want to be part of it and keep the rhythm. That’s the most important part.
“The staff behind the squad works so hard every single day to keep us fit. You see it in every single that we keep going until the end.
“Everyone is fit and eager to play, especially when you are in that rhythm and everyone is enjoying playing the matches.”
Meanwhile, the Norwegian has one eye on a Euro 2020 play-off final against his adopted homeland in March, and a possible match-up against some of his Celtic teammates.
“Obviously, we [Norway] wanted two home games, but we have to play Serbia first before we could face Scotland, and they are going to be a very tough opponent when that time comes,” he said.
“Of course, there are around 300 games for Celtic before then, so I have to focus on them first!
READ MORE: Celtic 4 Livingston 0: Five things we learned as Celtic stay top
“Every game is a new one, but we play Serbia and, if we beat them, it is going to be tough in the Final, even if it is a long way away.
“Right now, we are team-mates, but we know that when the time comes in March, we might be playing against each other and it’ll be competitive.
“That’s normal and after it is all over, we will be friends again.
“I know everything about Scotland!”
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