It has been a rough ride for Kasper Schmeichel at Celtic this season.
Yes, Celtic have found life tough overall, that’s why three different men have stood in the dugout, but Schmeichel can’t hide away from some of his performances.
During Wilfried Nancy’s final game as Celtic manager against Rangers, Schmeichel was booed by his home fans after producing another error-prone performance.
But during Celtic’s win against Falkirk on Wednesday night under Martin O’Neill, he was back to his best, and Liam Scales wanted to give his teammate his flowers.
Do you agree with Martin’s predicted XI for Auchinleck Talbot vs Celtic?
Liam Scales defends Kasper Schmeichel amid criticism of Celtic’s goalkeeper
Celtic face Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup at Rugby Park on Sunday, and you probably expect O’Neill to heavily rotate his XI and his goalkeeper.
Ahead of that tie, Scales was asked about Schmeichel in his pre-match press conference and the criticism his teammate has faced.
Scales didn’t shy away from defending the Denmark international, and how he proved, just in Celtic’s last match, how valuable he can be for the team.
“He is brilliant,” insisted Scales. “Sometimes, it’s just fine margins. There are ones you think he has saved, and it’s just unlucky.
“He could have the same one again, and he could save it. But he is a brilliant goalkeeper, and he has been a brilliant goalkeeper for years. And he still has so much quality.
“I think he has pulled brilliant saves out for us, especially against Falkirk. He made some great saves, and they won us the game, so it’s good to see and brilliant to have a goalkeeper behind you performing like that.”
Should Celtic prioritise replacing Kasper Schmeichel in the transfer window?
Who should be Celtic’s number one goalkeeper next season?
Whatever happens at the end of the season, Celtic have a huge call to make in the summer about their number one goalkeeper.
In truth, it might not even be up to O’Neill, but whoever is going to be the next man in the dugout, because it’s probably time for Schmeichel to move on.
Viljami Sinisalo is waiting in the wings. Does he deserve to take that spot? At the end of the day, he has showcased that he has the quality to do so.
Plus, there is no point in bringing Sinisalo in from Aston Villa, only for him to continue warming the bench once Schmeichel moves on.
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