Kasper Schmeichel has filled the Joe Hart void at Celtic perfectly since he arrived in the summer.
The Denmark international penned a one-year deal with the club after leaving Anderlecht having had a chat with Brendan Rodgers about moving to Glasgow.
It was a move he described as “everything he was looking for” and he has already managed 17 clean sheets from 27 outings in green and white.
The big question is whether or not the 38-year-old plans on sticking around beyond the summer where it is understood he has an extension clause to discuss.
And it will be after the season in the summer, Schmeichel says, when he and the manager as well as the Hoops higher-ups will sit down to chat about what might be next.
When Schmeichel expects to sit down to discuss a Celtic extension
He told Bold.dk: “It’s something we’ll sit down and talk about at some point in the new year. For now, I’m not thinking that far ahead.
“My focus is on the things that are happening here and now. There’s always something big happening at a big club like Celtic.
“We have already won a cup final, we lead the league with great and entertaining football and an incredibly solid defence, which I am especially happy about.
“And we are in a good position in the Champions League after only one defeat in six games. It would be a great achievement to advance.
“Signing there felt like coming home football-wise. But one of the most important things for me is also to feel the approach to sport and football – to feel the mentality when it comes to how important it is to win.
“It’s a special culture at British clubs that I grew up with, so that’s why it suits me well.
“Furthermore, the atmosphere around the matches is unique. There is nothing like a full stadium in the UK, and ours is in a class of its own. There are 60,000 every time. It’s a wild experience.
“Living in Glasgow and playing for Celtic is fantastic because you really feel that football means a lot to a lot of people. Everyone has a relationship and an attitude towards football. It’s a gift to play football in such passionate surroundings.”
What the Celtic goalie has said about his ‘2024 wishlist’
Schmeichel has been outstanding between the sticks for Celts and has already helped Celtic to the Premier Sports Cup with a big save in the penalty shootout vs Rangers.
And he explained how he has essentially ticked off all his dream scenarios from when he joined.
He said: “When I look back at all the highlights of 2024, it almost looks like a wishlist I could have written a year ago. Personally, I feel that I have played my best year ever, in that it is my most complete year in terms of football and how I have performed.
“I feel at my best, I’m constantly developing and I have a huge appetite to play football and win. Most importantly, there have been lots of highlights with my clubs and national team.
“I was enormously proud to be the Denmark captain during the European Championship. It was a personal highlight of my career for me.
“I also reached 100 international caps in 2024. Now I’m at 111, and I’m incredibly proud of that.”
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