Hugh Keevins claims Celtic star will remain at the club ‘for the next ten years’ amid cup final snub

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic’s recruitment has to be applauded.

No matter who is in the Celtic Park dugout, you trust the powers that be to bring in the quality, no matter what stage of their careers they are at.

In normal circumstances, the champions of Scotland put money on the table for that upcoming star or unknown figure.

There are many great examples of this working like a treat, from the Japanese stars to the recently departed, Matt O’Riley.

In the summer, Celtic went down an interesting route with their goalkeepers after Joe Hart’s retirement, and it’s now coming to fruition.

• READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers maps out Celtic goalkeeping plan for Aberdeen and St Mirren clashes before Scottish Cup final

Viljami Sinisalo backed to be at Celtic ‘for the next ten years’

Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo were the two men brought in by Celtic, and it’s another nod to the club’s recruitment, because they have been brilliant.

Of course, the duo are on different ends of the scale, regarding their careers, with Celtic’s number one aged 38, and his back-up option aged 23.

Hugh Keevins told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard that he can see Sinisalo being at Scotland’s most successful club ‘for the next ten years’.

“Sinisalo also has the comfort of knowing that he could be at Celtic for the next ten years,” stated Keevins. “Kasper Schmeichel is talking about the next ten months.

“It was all part of a succession strategy. Sinisalo learned under Schmeichel. Continues to learn under Schmeichel. Does look an accomplished goalkeeper. Has started to accumulate experience. Ibrox being a very important part of that.

“If he doesn’t make this cup final, then it could be the next one. But he has the comfort of knowing, that if he wants to, he could be Celtic’s goalkeeper for the next ten years.”

Will Sinisalo start the Scottish Cup final ahead of Kasper Schmeichel?

It has to be noted that Sinisalo was outstanding during Schmeichel’s time on the sidelines, but the Denmark international returned to the XI for the win over Hibernian on Saturday.

Schmeichel has come back just in time for Celtic’s Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen on May 24.

So, who will start the final? Scott Allan stated that he simply can’t see Sinisalo getting the nod and thinks it will be Schmeichel starting at Hampden, as he added on Clyde 1.

“No,” responded Allan on whether Sinisalo stays in for the cup final. “I think he has been excellent, and as Brendan Rodgers touched upon there, they had a decision to make in the summer. They then see that he can come in. Playing away at Ibrox as well. He has shown that he can handle the pressures of a Rangers-Celtic game.

“But ultimately, Brendan Rodgers will call upon a guy who, he knows very well, and for Celtic, he has been one of their top performers, in terms of clean sheets, especially with how they build out from the back and how they want to play.

“No qualms from me that Schmeichel will be back in (against Aberdeen), but as Brendan Rodgers touched upon, it’s always good to have somebody you know you can step in when needed.”