Brendan’s Big Call – Who gets the gloves? Sinisalo or fit again Schmeichel?

The Celtic Star

·9 maggio 2025

Brendan’s Big Call – Who gets the gloves? Sinisalo or fit again Schmeichel?

Brendan Rodgers gave his squad update at the beginning of his media conference this afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s Scottish Premiership match against Hibs at Celtic Park…

Brendan Rodgers arrives at Ibrox. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The Celtic manager promises numerous changes over the next week as he gives some players game-time and others a well earned rest.

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The biggest dilemma tomorrow will be who gets the gloves with the gaffer confirming that Kasper Schmeichel will be available after recovering from his shoulder injury picked up on international duty with Denmark.

Sinisalo named by Sandman as MOTM at Ibrox

Viljami Sinisalo has made a real impression standing in for the Great Dane and was outstanding at Ibrox last weekend, being named as Sandman’s Man of the Match in his Definitive Ratings on The Celtic Star.

Sinisalo as we have already reported on, spoke to the media this afternoon and will be making the headlines in tomorrow’s papers with his comments about the items thrown into the Celtic goalmouth at Ibrox last Sunday.

Rangers substitute Neraysho Kasanwirjo runs on to the pitch to throw items off the pitch that appear to have been thrown into the Celtic penalty area during the second half of the match. theRangers v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Ibrox. Sunday 04 May 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Brendan might not want to rush Kasper back at the earliest opportunity so it might be Trophy Day against St Mirren next week before we see him back, or even the midweek match up at Pittodrie.

Sinisalo passed test with flying colours

Here’s what Brendan had to say about his goalkeeper dilemma and he points out that Kasper’s injury actually has helped Celtic in a roundabout way as it’s given Sinisalo the chance to prove himself as a Celtic goalkeeper, with the Finland international keeper doing that with flying colours.

“Kasper will be available for the squad,” Brendan said. “Ali (Johnston) is still out but we’ll have a look for him in midweek against Aberdeen. Cam (CCV) is still out, we’re looking for him for the St Mirren game. We are sticking to the original plan with these two players.

St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Viljami Sinisalo. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“As for Viljami, I think it’s been an interesting one because if Kasper had stayed fit we may not have seen so much of him, in which case then we would have had a decision in the summer because he’s a very, very talented young goalkeeper and it was in the case of does he go out on loan to get that experience with the view to him coming back to challenge Kasper to be number one.

“Indirectly, the situation has really, really helped us and cleared up that thinking because he’s been excellent and he’s played with real authority and calmness for such a young goalkeeper. He did a big test away at Ibrox last week, he came through that really, really well. I’ve been pleased for him.

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Kasper Schmeichel celebrates. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star).

“Kasper was our number one goalkeeper, he’s been brilliant for us all season. It’s just really good to have him back and available and we assess it from there.

“I think we just have to be careful with Kasper”

“I think we just have to be careful with Kasper, and we’ll wait to see until later on how his shoulder has reacted, and then we can make a decision then who will play tomorrow. It’s just the nature of it, but no doubt we brought Vil in here to eventually be the number one goalkeeper, and everything to that plan is on point at this moment in time.

“He’s been very, very good. I’ve been really, really impressed with him in the games and it’s great to have that.”

Here’s Brendan Rodgers media conference ahead of the Celtic v Hibs match at Celtic Park tomorrow afternoon…

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