Viljami Sinisalo has addressed the challenge awaiting him at Celtic next season as speculation continues around the club’s goalkeeping plans.
The Finnish international is currently away with his national team ahead of Sunday’s friendly against Germany in Mainz. Finland will then travel to Budapest to face Hungary later this week as preparations continue for the months ahead.
Back in Glasgow, discussion around the goalkeeper position has intensified following Kasper Schmeichel’s retirement. Reports have linked Celtic with Go Ahead Eagles goalkeeper Jari De Busser, prompting questions about what the club’s plans might be going into the new campaign.
Sinisalo appears unfazed by that possibility.
The 24-year-old spent much of his first two seasons waiting for opportunities before establishing himself as Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper during the final months of the campaign. He held onto the jersey throughout the run-in and played his part as Celtic secured both the Premiership title and the Scottish Cup.
Sinisalo knows exactly what comes with playing for a club like Celtic.
He said: (TCW), “I’ve never been content to just watch others play. Getting the jersey for me was a huge opportunity.
“And when you play for Celtic, you have to perform well if you want to keep your place. When you’re at a big club, eyes are on you all the time and you’re only as good as your last game.
“So I am going into the new season with a positive mindset. I want to keep the Celtic shirt and try to be part of something successful again. That’s what I’ve always wanted to do and hopefully I can do that at Celtic for a long time.
“Winning the double was a great highlight for me. Crazy things happened during the season, and then in the last few weeks we managed to win two trophies!
“It was definitely a season that will be remembered in the club’s history. For me, it was an amazing experience. There were many moments in the final week that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
“Those moments, those medals and those emotional avalanches that you experience in the game, no one will take them away.”
The comments do not sound like a player worried about competition arriving this summer. If anything, they reflect someone who understands competition is part of life at Celtic and believes he has earned the chance to start the season as number one.
That confidence is understandable. Sinisalo waited patiently for his opportunity and then delivered when it arrived. He handled high-pressure matches, helped Celtic over the line in the title race and lifted the Scottish Cup at Hampden.
Whether Celtic add another goalkeeper remains to be seen. What is clear is that Sinisalo has no intention of giving up the jersey without a fight.
