Some Celtic fans are calling for Viljami Sinisalo to become the club’s number one goalkeeper.
If that were to happen, not only would it kick-start Sinisalo’s career on the domestic stage, but it would also help him on the international front.
The 24-year-old has earned six caps for Finland and has mainly been on the bench in 2025, starting just three matches, with his national coach, Jacob Friis, preferring to play their legendary keeper, Lukas Hradecky.
But on Friday, Celtic’s back-up keeper earned a start against Malta, and it proved to be a nightmare evening for the Finns as their hopes of securing a World Cup play-off spot are now over.
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How Viljami Sinisalo rated as Finland suffered a shock defeat to Malta
This wasn’t on the cards. Not only are Malta ranked 166th in the world, but their 1-0 win in Helsinki was their first away win since 2013.
Sinisalo wasn’t called into action much, but nine minutes from time, he could only watch on as Jake Grech scored the only goal of the game.
Sofascore handed the 2024 Celtic summer signing a rating of 6.3 for his performance, the second-lowest on his side.
- Sinisalo’s rating: 6.3
- Touches: 39
- Possession lost: 5
- Total saves: 0
- Accurate passes: 28/33 (85%)
- Passes in own half: 25/29 (86%)
- Passes in the opposition half: 3/4 (75%)
- Long balls: 3/7 (43%)
- Recoveries: 9
Sinisalo’s World Cup dream is over
Finland were hoping to debut and reach next summer’s expanded 2026 World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico.
But a defeat to Malta means that the Netherlands, who are top of Group G, have all but qualified, and it’s Poland who have secured a play-off spot with a game remaining.
Several Celtic players were at risk of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, and it has now been confirmed for Sinisalo.
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