Kasper Schmeichel will have to forget the disappointment of the international break, but that may be easier said than done, according to Martin O’Neill.
Schmeichel will have to contend with the World Cup play-offs after Denmark’s spectacular collapse over the international break
A draw against Belarus was then followed up by a 4-2 loss against Scotland in which teammate Kieran Tierney scored a last-minute winner to send the Tartan Army through automatically.
Tierney joked about avoiding Schmeichel at training, but O’Neill thinks the emotions of the defeat may still be on his conscience.
Martin O’Neill on Kasper Schmeichel
The Celtic interim boss was asked about the 39-year-old during his pre-St Mirren press conference.
While he acknowledged the Scottish contingent in his squad were still on cloud nine, his goalkeeper’s emotions are something they will have to cope with.
He said: “It’s really great, and for Kieran [Tierney], I couldn’t be more pleased, couldn’t be more pleased really, but the goal, I was right behind it, right behind it, the minute it left his foot, I thought, this is heading in, and much as the fourth goal was obviously a great goal, three great goals for you, including McTominay’s, the fourth goal might not have happened if Kieran hadn’t scored, so brilliant, absolutely brilliant, yeah.
“So we have to now pick up Kasper Schmeichel from off the floor now, so that might be more difficult than you think, but we’ll see how he is.”
Kasper Schmeichel will keep number one place
Despite the poor result, there is no doubting that the Premier League title winner will be keeping his place in the squad.
Viljami Sinisalo has hinted at going out on loan, which would only leave Ross Doohan as a backup.
Should Viljami Sinisalo be the long-term replacement for Kasper Schmeichel?
Schmeichel is still capable of playing at the highest level, and will be a key member of the squad for the remainder of the season.
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