Kasper Schmeichel has been in all the wrong conversations this week.
The Celtic goalkeeper has faced widespread criticism from fans and pundits for his form, particularly his display in last week’s Europa League clash with Stuttgart.
Many have called for him to be dropped, and it doesn’t look likely that he’ll be at Celtic next season, during which he’ll turn 40.
But what about his international future? Denmark manager Brian Riemer has spoken.
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Denmark boss Brian Riemer on Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel
Riemer has staunchly defended Schmeichel since stepping in as manager, and asked about the Hoops stopper’s form, he insisted: “I stand by what I said – Kasper is my first choice goalkeeper.
“He was in goal for the last game we played and we are taking that as a starting point and that’s why he’s officially our No.1 goalkeeper right now.
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“But no one is guaranteed a permanent place in the Danish national team.
“This applies to Kasper Schmeichel, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg or Rasmus Hojlund.
“I will announce my team an hour and a half before kick-off of our next game and until then I am neither confirming or denying that anyone has dropped out or is going to play.
“I will always pick what I consider to be my best team and how I do that is by looking at the players and their performances.
“And looking at the composition of the group that will play.
“I follow my heart, and that doesn’t always mean that I do what everyone else wants, but I follow my heart and pick the team I think is right.”
Riemer signed Schmeichel whilst managing Anderlecht, evidencing his faith in the Celtic goalkeeper.
But he isn’t short on options, with backup options Filip Jorgensen and Mads Hermansen both recently making big-money moves to the Premier League.
Fellow option Frederik Ronnow retired from international football in 2024 after just ten caps, having failed to displace Schmeichel from his spot in the team.
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Kasper Schmeichel and other Celtic players in World Cup play-off action
Next month, Schmeichel and Denmark will face North Macedonia in their semi-final of the play-offs for this summer’s World Cup.
Of course, they bottled the chance to qualify directly by drawing at home to Belarus before that famous night at Hampden that saw Scotland beat them to a historic qualification.
Should they win that tie as expected, they will face the winner of a Celtic face-off between Tomas Cvancara’s Czechia and Liam Scales’ Ireland.
Benjamin Nygren and Sweden will also be in the play-offs, facing Ukraine in the semi with a potential decider against the winner of Poland vs Albania.
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