Kristoffer Ajer has insisted that Celtic Park can be as intimidating for AEK Athens as the return leg can be for the Parkhead side.

The Celtic defender is expected to partner Jozo Simunovic as Brendan Rodgers go into the first-leg of their third round qualifier against AEK tomorrow night and Ajer is confident that the intensity of the stadium can work in the Parkhead side’s favour.

Brendan Rodgers’ side will be keen to get a strong return from their first leg before heading to Athens next week – a play-off round between the victors of Swedish side Malmo or Hungarians Mol Vidi awaits whoever triumphs in this tie – but Ajer has shrugged off any suggestions that Celtic will feel the heat in Greece.

“Every time you play at home in the first leg of a European qualifier it is important to get a good result,” said the 20-year-old defender. “That is what we hope for but I have to say that when you play at Celtic Park you are used to a fantastic atmosphere and one of the best in the world. We are used to that. Hopefully we can get a good result.

“I must admit that Celtic Park is unbelievable and it is like that every time you play there. The flag day against Livingston was fantastic and it is unbelievable.”

AEK were given the Greek title after rivals PAOK were docked three points when owner and businessman Ivan Savvidis went onto the field with a gun during a game last season.

That level of drama went over the head of the unflappable Ajer but it is the player’s composure and coolness on the pitch that has saw him progress at Celtic over the last eight months.

Signed by Ronny Deila, Ajer was on the fringes of the first-team under Rodger’s inaugural campaign before heading off for a loan spell at Kilmarnock. However, since the turn of the year he has been a mainstay at the heart of Celtic’s defence with his performances in the qualification games showing a level of maturity.

“I feel as though I am more experienced with every game that I play,” he said. “Playing here at Celtic is fantastic. It is a real dream come true. You just need to look forward to every game because they come so quickly.

“I feel a lot more confident having played so many games now for Celtic. It makes me believe in myself but also I know the club a lot more. I know how we are supposed to be playing and that makes it easier.”

The defender admitted that he was nervous initially as he broke into Rodgers’ first-team but he has not taken long to find his feet – with a little help from his ipod.

“Of course, people have different ways of getting themselves ready for a match,” he said. “I feel ready for a football game. I don’t need that adrenalin from doing something like that. I just get up for a game by being calm. I always listen to the same Norwegian music before I go out. That’s something I always do.

“I learn from all the players around me.

“In the beginning I got a bit nervous but with all the help I get from the staff and the gaffer I feel calm. It makes it a lot easier knowing what you have to do.

“I was a lot younger before, you have to remember that. I am still young? Yes, but I am growing and getting older and more experience. It’s important to get a good balance, to understand it’s big games that you are playing in but not to get too nervous.”

Ajer impressed in the precious round against his fellow countrymen of Rosenborg but of greater priority is ensuring that Celtic get back into the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.

“For Celtic you always want to play Champions League every season,” he said. “That is what we are looking to do.

“To play in the Champions League, it is the best teams in the world. All the teams we meet in the qualifiers want to get there. Rosenborg has that target every year to get into the Champions League. We also want to be there.”

On paper, this tie is the toughest out of the four games that Celtic could potentially have to negotiate if they are to make the group stages for the third successive season. Ajer, though, has maintained that it hasn’t been an easy passage just to reach the halfway stage of the qualification process.

“It is really difficult to say,” he said. “We played Alashkert and they made it tough with us and we also had the heat too. Rosenborg are a really great team too in Norway. It is difficult to qualify and we know that we have a great team waiting for us again now. We really just have to take it one game at a time.

“We will have a meeting today and look at how Athens will be looking to play. That will be interesting. I will be studying all their offensive players. I will hear all about their strengths and their weaknesses and that’s something that is really important in my preparation.”