Saturday 12 January 2019 10:45, UK
Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer believes they are still in a strong position in the Scottish Premiership title race despite losing 1-0 to Rangers in their last match before the winter break.
Ryan Jack scored the only goal at Ibrox on December 29 as Steven Gerrard's side moved level on points with Celtic at the top of the table.
The Hoops still have a game in hand on them, however, and Norway international Ajer feels they remain well placed to win their eighth consecutive title.
"We are still in a good position, top of the league with a game in hand and just really looking forward to hopefully keep going for the rest of the season," Ajer told Sky Sports News.
"The league is a lot more competitive this year, there are so many good teams. Kilmarnock, Aberdeen are doing really well and they are close up there as well.
"There are a lot of good teams who can take some points off you if you are not 100 per cent there."
As for the defeat to Rangers, Ajer rejects the idea it came as something of a shock and admitted they just did not perform well enough to get anything out of the game.
"I don't think it was a wake-up call," he added.
"We always reflect on every single game and always work really hard to put ourselves in the best position for every game.
"On the day we didn't perform well enough, it's as easy as that."
Celtic's first game back after the winter break comes against Airdieonians in the Scottish Cup on January 19 before they face St Mirren in the league four days later.
