Neil Lennon reacts amid claims £36m-rated Celtic man wants to leave

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Celtic manager Neil Nennon has hit back at comments by Kristoffer Ajer’s agent claiming his client is to leave Parkhead this summer, in conversation with the Daily Record.

Despite the 21-year-old defender having two years remaining on his Celtic contract, his representative Tore Pedersen made the bold claim earlier this week.

“He will not extend his contract with Celtic and will leave this summer,” Pedersen is quoted by the Daily Record as saying. “There are several clubs who are interested.”

In response, Lennon slated Ajer’s agent, contradicting his comments and saying he might have “shot himself in the foot”.

“I’ve heard about the comments and I’m aware of it,” the Celtic boss told the Daily Record. “At the end of the day the club will decide when players go, not agents or players themselves.

“Kris has never made any indication he wants to leave. He’s happy here, he has been playing very well, he has been very consistent.

“I think the agent has shot himself in the foot there. We have Kris tied down to a long-term contract so we’ll decide and not anyone else.

“There hasn’t been any interest in him that I’m aware of, certainly no one has called me about him.”

Having signed in July 2016 as a free agent during Ronny Deila’s tenure with the Hoops, Ajer made a slow start to life at Parkhead.

However, the 21-year-old has since developed into an outstanding player and mainstay of Lennon’s side, clocking up 49 appearances so far this season and 45 last term.

According to Calciomercato, Ajer is valued at £36million by Celtic amid claims that he is wanted by AC Milan.

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Fair play to Lennon for quickly issuing a firm rebuke of Pedersen’s comments – making such a claim publicly does little good and is a hindrance for the club and the player himself.

Ajer could well look for pastures new in the summer – after all, he’s been a crucial member of two treble-winning sides and could be heading for a third this season, so if he fancies a new challenge, who could blame him?

However, that type of discussion should really take place behind closed doors rather than become fuel for the rumour mill.