Hugh Keevins has questioned Kasper Schmeichel’s place in the Celtic team after another poor performance in Europe – this time against Braga.
The veteran pundit said the Danish keeper has never recovered from his Scottish Cup Final mistake against Aberdeen last season.
Speaking on Clyde Superscoreboard, Keevins said: “With regard to Schmeichel, I go back to the cup final against Aberdeen. Celtic didn’t win the treble because Schmeichel – people say the goalie threw one in – he did! Against Aberdeen, he literally did.”
Keevins believes that moment has haunted the Celtic number one ever since. “He’s never recovered from it,” he said. “He does not look like the same confident goalkeeper that he was.”
Kasper Schmiechel’s Celtic Future
Schmeichel was signed by Brendan Rodgers to bring experience and composure to Celtic’s backline. He was brilliant for most of last season and really provided us with that experience. This season, he is now being seen more and more as a liability after another costly display against Braga.
The 2-0 defeat on Thursday night included a calamitous mistake that gifted the visitors their opening goal. It summed up what has been a difficult few months for the former Leicester and Manchester City stopper.
Keevins added: “Brendan Rodgers brought Schmeichel to the club, has worked with him elsewhere and is deeply respectful of him. So he won’t just dump him, but he’s become a bit of a worry.”
Rodgers has so far stood by his goalkeeper, but patience is wearing thin among supporters. Many are now calling for Viljami Sinisalo to be handed a chance between the sticks.
The Celtic manager faces a major decision. Loyalty to a player he knows well could soon collide with the harsh reality of needing results. Kasper’s contract runs out at the end of this season, and we can’t see him getting a deal beyond that.
Should Sinišalo get more game time? There is an argument for him to keep his place in the League Cup. If the Finnish international gets the nod at Hampden, he will be up against Rangers, and it could be an audition for the full time gig.
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