Viljami Sinisalo has now got a really good taste of what it’s like being Celtic’s number one.
Following Kasper Schmeichel’s injury on Denmark duty in March, the man brought in as his back-up in the summer has donned the main gloves, including in the Glasgow derby over the weekend.
Celtic recorded a 1-1 draw at Rangers, with goals coming in either half and Sinisalo experiencing his first game against the enemy.
Some might argue that the injury to Schmeichel was a blessing in disguise, especially given that he could be back before the season is out, because it has allowed the Celtic Park faithful to get a taste of what the number two is like.
The draw at Rangers was Sinisalo’s seventh overall game in the green and white colours, and that is expected to continue for Celtic’s home clash against Hibernian on Saturday in the Premiership.
But how is Sinisalo being viewed now that he is earning minutes in the big time?!
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Viljami Sinisalo lauded for Celtic performance against Rangers
At the end of the day, whatever you do as a Celtic player, the games you are going to be judged on most are those big cup ties, the Champions League and matches against Rangers.
Mark Wilson wanted to give Sinisalo his flowers for coming in and ‘looking composed’ on the ball in such a hostile environment at Ibrox, as he told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard.
The former Hoops player also lauded his ‘bravery’, including the big save he made at the end to deny Nico Raskin from scoring the winning goal.
“I said throughout the game that the spotlight is on Sinisalo,” said Wilson. “It has been since he has come in.
“Celtic, for years, in Joe Hart they had a top number one. But, for a number two, they have struggled for years and years, so Sinisalo, I don’t think anybody knew much about him.
“He has come in and done well, but against Rangers, I thought he looked composed in possession. I think he picked the right passes at the right times. I thought he was brave enough to play through the front three, at times.
“And then, he had the know-how and experience to go long. He makes decent saves. I think, the one right at the end, one of the only chances Rangers had, was the three-on-one with Schlupp at the back, and a claim for a penalty. I think he actually makes a very good save at Raskin’s feet with a left hand.
“That’s a big moment in the game. I think he can be pleased Sinisalo with his performance.”
Celtic’s ‘succession strategy’ lauded amid calls on Kasper Schmeichel and Sinisalo
When Joe Hart retired last summer, it left a big void between Celtic’s sticks, and the club had a big call to make.
Many thought that the powers that be might just push to bring in that young goalkeeper, and that is it.
But they also went down the road of bringing in Kasper, despite being 37 at the time, and now that model has been lauded by Hugh Keevins because it is working like a treat.
“There had to be a succession strategy, because Kasper Schmeichel won’t go on forever,” added Keevins.
“Sinisalo has learned his business at Celtic for all of last season. He did look comfortable. I said that he was a goalkeeper who had never played in the Glasgow derby.
“I only brought it up because it’s a talking point. I wasn’t suggesting that it’s his first Glasgow derby that it would be a calamity.
“Therefore, I think he did exceptionally well. Used the ball very well with his feet. But he is there to stop the ball from going into the back of the net, and he did it well. He might have been suspect for the goal that Raskin scored and was disallowed by VAR.
“But Celtic can be happy that the succession strategy is moving in the right direction.”
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