Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo will make the long-haul journey to New Zealand with Finland later this month, only to find himself on the bench.
The 24-year-old has been named in Jacob Friis’ squad for the upcoming FIFA Series matches against New Zealand and Cape Verde in Auckland.
Those performances were enough to catch the attention of his national team manager, who openly acknowledged the role the goalkeeper now holds in Glasgow.
Friis said (Glasgow Times):
“But the plan has always been for me that if our captain Lukas Hradecky is back fit and playing again, he will be our keeper in New Zealand.”
That likely leaves Sinisalo competing with Palermo goalkeeper Jesse Joronen for the role of understudy during the trip.
Lukas Hradecky, the long-established Finland number one and national team captain, recently returned to fitness and is expected to reclaim his place between the posts for the two matches in Auckland.
The trip itself is no short-haul exercise. Finland face a long journey to New Zealand for the fixtures, something that often raises eyebrows among clubs when players are called away.
Celtic supporters will be well aware of the impact international travel can have, especially at this stage of the season when fixtures continue to stack up.
Friis admitted he had expected some pushback from clubs given the distance involved.
“We have a real luxury in terms of our goalkeeping position now.
“No clubs have contacted us about pulling their players out because of the length of the journey, although I must admit I was expecting that.”
For Sinisalo, the call-up is still another sign his standing is improving.
He will head away with his national side at the end of this month, carrying fresh recognition and growing confidence.
Even if Hradecky remains the first choice for Finland, Sinisalo’s current trajectory suggests his role with both club and country is only moving one way.
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