Celtic made it five shutouts on the trot last weekend against Heart of Midlothian and Kasper Schmeichel has played a leading role in that between the sticks.
The Denmark international joined the Bhoys on a free transfer this summer from Anderlecht and has built up an excellent rapport with Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Equalling a 118-year-old record that has stood since 1906/07, Celtic now have the chance to break that when they travel to St Johnstone next Saturday evening, with cup duty taking precedence this week.
Schmeichel has also impressed with his quick distribution since pitching up at the club, taking the pressure off his backline and switching the point of focus with minimal difficulty.
Peter Grant has been delighted with what the Premier League winner has shown since moving to Glasgow and has complemented his part in a landmark Celtic achievement.
Peter Grant hails Kasper Schmeichel and the Celtic backline
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, Grant pointed out Schmeichel’s crucial stop to deny Musa Drammeh a late equalising goal in the Bhoys’ victory over Hearts as evidence of why he is trusted in crunch moments by Celtic.
“Hearts had one chance and it’s a cross late in the game to equalise. Kasper Schmeichel, it was a very good positional play from him because he moved his feet well and the boy didn’t really connect with it and caught it on the line, so that kept that clean sheet, but it also tells you what a top quality goalkeeper is and I keep saying that about goalkeepers for Celtic and Rangers.
“They will always have a moment in the game. Celtic were so dominant. You know what it’s like when you lose a goal, you end up losing two points from it, but he was in the right area at the right time, and it’s a fantastic achievement for these guys because I thought Scales and Carter-Vickers, Scales especially, was excellent.
“He won his headers (especially from) long throws worked in the box, and his positional play was excellent in the game. They deserve great credit, they two centre-backs as well, because it’s not easy to play one-on-one all the time when you’re a defender, and you’re getting left isolated because so many full-backs are forward nowadays.”
Celtic’s solidity is evidence of Brendan Rodgers’ hard work
Don’t forget the manager deserves his due credit: Brendan Rodgers has been relentless in his message that off-the-ball work is key to success, something which doesn’t always get the attention it should.
The Irishman has shaped the improvement supporters are seeing from early on in pre-season. Standards have risen, and the players are merely carrying out his instructions.
Providing the brains behind the operation, so to speak, Rodgers has built the platform for his men to thrive no matter the opposition. Now, it is a case of continuing this trend.
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