Celtic coasted to a comfortable victory over Hibernian yesterday in a game where Kasper Schmeichel didn’t have a single save to make between the sticks.
The 37-year-old has been the marquee addition for Brendan Rodgers’ men this summer as the Bhoys labour in their efforts to bolster the squad.
Viljami Sinisalo and Paulo Bernardo have also been added, but the bulk of their transfer business is yet to be done.
Nevertheless, Schmeichel has passed his initial tests in the Scottish Premiership with flying colours. Notably, his distribution has caught the eye, with the Dane completing 53 of his 56 attempted passes at Easter Road.
Carrying on his assured start, the former Leicester City man also impressed last week against Kilmarnock on Flag Day. Despite this, Pat Bonner believes his most significant challenges in a Celtic jersey will come further down the line.
Pat Bonner on Kasper Schmeichel’s Celtic exploits
Speaking on BBC Sportsound, former Celtic goalkeeper Bonner has acknowledged Schmeichel’s impressive contribution to helping the Bhoys structure attacking moves from deep via his quick thinking.
However, the pundit did allude to the fact that he has barely been tested between the sticks, which will provide the real acid test of his abilities while in Scotland.
He stated: “It was my first time seeing Kasper Schmeichel in the team. I think he adds to the team, definitely from a build-up perspective.
“I think he’s very comfortable on the ball, but there will be other days where he’ll be needed to make the big saves at the right time, and that’ll be the test for him (at Celtic).”
The goalkeeping role has evolved at Celtic
Bonner makes a simple but valid point: Schmeichel will be judged on the number of points he saves for Celtic based on his shot-stopping ability.
Regardless, the role has evolved at the club and across football, with more emphasis than ever on being composed in possession. For many managers, it is arguably as important as keeping the ball out, factoring in the level of responsibility stoppers have to kickstart attacks in the modern game.
It is worth focusing on what Schmeichel has done well early in his Celtic career. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales have no problem using him as a safety net, trusting he will alleviate pressure by finding bodies in space.
Defensively, Celtic are showing early signs of solidity within the rearguard. Improvements are still there to be made, but the collective unit are all aware of their roles and have claimed two clean sheets inside two league matches, which isn’t a coincidence.
Tougher tests are yet to come for everyone at the club. Yet again, the Bhoys are building valuable momentum to prepare them to handle forthcoming scenarios.
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