Norway boss Stale Solbakken has stuck up for Celtic star Kristoffer Ajer after he was criticised for his showing in defeat to Turkey.
The centre-back was brought back into the starting line-up having missed the game against Gibraltar but was at fault for two goals in the 3-0 World Cup qualifiers defeat.
The 22-year-old headed the ball straight into the path of an unmarked Ozan Tufan inside the box after just four minutes, who drove the ball low into the bottom corner.
A mistimed header from a corner then allowed Çaglar Soyuncu to head home the second in the rout.
Solbakken was asked about the costly errors from the Celtic defender during his post-match press conference but refused to lay all the blame at his feet.
He told Norwegian outlet: “The conclusion behind it is that we conceded three very easy goals.
“He [Ajer] had periods where it went well, and then there were situations where it did not go well.
“In situations where things are not going well, it must be the case that they cover for each other. Both he and others suffered at times.
“We cannot hide under a chair after we conceded three goals.”
Solbakken last week urged Ajer to leave Scotland in order to improve his game.
The boss claimed that the Premiership does not offer the stopper enough of a challenge noting that he had picked up some negative "habits".
