Ross McCormack says after playing with Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel ‘years ago’, one thing hasn’t changed

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The Celtic players are under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons right now.

One of the players coming under fire is Celtic’s number one keeper, Kasper Schmeichel, and his recent display in Europe.

On Thursday night, Celtic were beaten 2-0 by Braga, and fans hammered Schmeichel for how he dealt with Braga’s opening goal, as well as the scrambling nature of their second.

Ricardo Horta rifled the ball from more than 30 yards out to open the scoring after 20 minutes, with many feeling that the 38-year-old should have done much better to deal with that effort, but Ross McCormack shared an interesting insight into the player.

• READ MORE: Meet Kasper Schmeichel, the Celtic winner who stepped up to the plate

Kasper Schmeichel during his early years amid Celtic criticism

McCormack and Schmeichel played alongside each other during their days at Leeds United – when they were in the English Championship – in 2010-11.

Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, McCormack explained that Celtic’s shot-stopper was never the most agile, especially ‘when you are asking him to save shots from 20 yards.’

“I will be totally honest with you,” said McCormack. “I played years ago with Kasper. Probably the best thing about him was when he had the ball at his feet. He was very composed on the ball. Never really made mistakes with the ball at his feet.

“So, it’s worrying now, you look at it the other night, three or four times, he passed the ball out of the pitch. Just not like him, at all.

“Personally, I don’t think he has been the most agile in terms of when people are having shots against him. He is fantastic when he is coming out and spreading himself.

“But when you are asking him to save shots from 20 yards that are going into the top corner. Personally, I don’t think he’s ever been that agile.”

Schmeichel’s passing has ‘deserted him’

Schmeichel replaced Joe Hart during the summer of 2024, and many felt that the upgrade he brought was the passing out from the back.

But, as McCormack pointed out, what has previously been Schmeichel’s ‘strongest suit’, has now seemingly ‘deserted him.’

“The worrying part, for me, is the ball at his feet, because that has always been his strongest suit,” added McCormack. “It seems to have deserted him at this moment in time.”

There is Viljami Sinisalo in the background, and many will want him to start games now, especially with the Motherwell game on Sunday.