Kasper Schmeichel makes Celtic ‘standards’ vow as Dane bids to claim first silverware in Scotland

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Kasper Schmeichel has been a revelation for Celtic since joining the club on a free transfer after leaving Anderlecht at the end of last season.

Making his presence felt between the sticks, the 38-year-old has produced a healthy return of 15 clean sheets in 24 appearances across all competitions.

Ultimately, the former Leicester City stopper had trodden a distinctive career path that has earned plenty of adulation along the way. Adam Idah says Kasper Schmeichel is the best goalkeeper he has played alongside, which is enough evidence to show the type of impact he is having.

Last weekend, Brendan Rodgers addressed Schmeichel’s Celtic contract situation, claiming he can activate his clause without any external involvement, apart from the man in question.

With the Premier Sports Cup at stake this weekend, the veteran has shared an insight into why the bar is being set high across the board heading into the Hampden meeting with Rangers.

Kasper Schmeichel on Celtic’s ‘standards’ never slipping

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s cup final, Kasper Schmeichel has admitted that keeping a level head is everything in these sort of occasions while vowed to try and uphold the high ‘standards’ that are relaid to everyone who arrives at the club.

He stated [Daily Record]: “I think these types of games, it’s important for us as players to take the emotion out of the game, to play the game, not the occasion. Play it with precision and make sure that we hit the standards that we’ve set and we keep being ambitious, we keep pushing forward.

“Yeah, I think it’s a great occasion, particularly for the fans. Like I said before, for us as players, it’s about removing the emotion from the game. Playing the game and not getting caught up in the emotion and the occasion.”

Later, he added: “I think the standards are set. At a club like Celtic, you walk in the training ground, you walk in the stadium, it’s just steeped in history. You look around, every single photo on the wall is of some kind of legend lifting a trophy, so you know what’s expected.”

Kasper Schmeichel capable of show-stopping performances

Schmeichel was brought in due to his pedigree, which has been in full view this campaign amid Celtic’s excellent Scottish Premiership start.

Stat-trackers Fotmob show the Denmark international has retained a 90.9% save percentage rate on league duty, with 4.49 Expected Goals prevented while between the sticks.

Clean distribution has also been a notable feature of Schmeichel’s game, evidenced by the fact he has recorded 95% pass accuracy in the Scottish top-flight.

Rangers will be keen to pepper his goal, but Celtic supporters will have faith that their goalkeeper can come up with some crucial moments at Hampden on Sunday.