Former Celtic goalkeeper Alan Rough reckons that Kasper Schmeichel deserves a great deal of credit for what he’s done at Celtic, particularly for putting his body on the line to continue playing when clearly he was in a great deal of pain…
The Danish international replaced Joe Hart at the end of the 2023/24 season and it seemed a simple decision for Brendan Rodgers to call free agent Schmeichel, who he had worked with at Leicester City, to take over as Celtic’s first choice keeper.
Rodgers signed Schmeichel and Sinisalo in summer 2024 windowÂ
Viljami Sinisalo was also signed at the same time, coming in from Aston Villa, with the plan being that he’d work alongside Schmeichel for a few seasons before taking over as Celtic’s No.1.
That’s pretty much how it’s panned out but rather than making the decision himself like Joe Hart did in February 2024, Kasper was forced to concede defeat after playing on for many months through the pain barrier.
A shoulder injury playing for his country in Portugal just wouldn’t heal and the Great Dane is now faced with a year of operations, perhaps as many as four, in order to get his shoulder sorted.
In his Celtic TV interview, Kasper effectively said his Celtic goodbyes
His contract at Celtic ends shortly and Kasper spoke with Celtic TV’s Gerry McCulloch last week, effectively saying his Celtic goodbyes.
It will be a low key Celtic exit for the Great Dane, certainly when you compare it to the incredible send-off that the Celtic support gave Joe Hart, giving the former England No.1 one of his proudest moments in football.
Now, as reported by Glasgow Times, the former Celtic keeper Alan Rough, has spoke about Kasper Schmeichel’s Celtic legacy deserving to be recognised.
“I know a lot of people were having a wee go at him, but when you’re in that position and you’re putting yourself through that kind of pain for your team, I think he deserves all the credit,” Alan Rough said.
“I think the early days, when he came in, he took over from Hart with no problem at all. He was great in Europe, he was great in the club. He had that ability to make that big save.
“Honestly, now that I see the injuries that he has been carrying, it’s pretty bad. For a goalkeeper, you need every part of your body to be flexible and he hasn’t.”
Focus at Celtic Park has to be on beating the Rangers and then HeartsÂ
The league had been won back in Trophy Day 2024 and that allowed the Celtic support the space on match-day to show our appreciation for Joe Hart.
This time it’s different. Celtic have two remaining home games against the Rangers and finally Hearts as the destination of the title gets determined. The Celtic support’s 100% focus will be on that, roaring the team on to another title triumph.
Kasper is a football man so he’ll understand that.
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