Kasper Schmeichel is coming in for some serious heat for his part in SC Braga’s opening goal at Celtic Park in the Europa League.
The big Denmark international goalkeeper has been more solid than not for Celtic since Brendan Rodgers signed Schmeichel at the start of last season.
However, for Braga’s goal at Celtic Park, the Hoops goalkeeper appeared to be at fault as he misjudged Ricardo Horta’s long range effort.
And that’s a view that appears to be shared by Celtic heroes Pat Bonner and Joe Hart as they delivered their verdict on Schmeichel’s role at the goal.
Pat Bonner and Joe Hart react to Kasper Schmeichel’s ‘big mistake’ at Celtic Park
On first viewing of the goal, there was an assumption that the ball took a wicked swerve or dip before it hits the back of Schmeichel’s Celtic goal.
On second viewing, that was not the case and that made Bonner and Hart’s verdict appear to be correct.
Bonner said on BBC Radio Scotland, “It’s a big mistake. From that distance out, you’ve got to keep your eye on the ball, keep your balance, get yourself set and make sure that you keep eye contact with the ball and deal with it.”
“I think he thought it was going over the bar.”
Joe Hart’s assessment on TNT Sports was short and simple as he said, “Brilliant strike. A striker from distance. As soon as it left his foot I knew it would cause problems. Anguish on his face.
“It’s a difficult moment for Kasper Schmeichel.”
67 Hail Hail’s view on Schmeichel’s horror moment at Celtic Park
There is no denying that this must go down as a huge error for Schmeichel. Even after misjudging the flight of the ball, how the Celtic keeper then tried to save it was baffling.
Instead of trying to save it with his left hand, Schmeichel went with his right which meant he was overstretched and couldn’t get enough reach to block the ball.
It was a bizarre night for Schmeichel who also found it difficult to find his Celtic teammates with plenty of misplaced passes.
The normally reliable goalkeeper may now find his starting spot threatened as Motherwell come to visit Celtic on Sunday.
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