Viljami Sinisalo has reflected on the situation surrounding his game time at Celtic.
In a season of managerial change, Sinisalo’s position in the pecking order largely stayed the same until a devastating injury to Kasper Schmeichel.
It now looks likely that the Dane has played the last game for Celtic, opening the door up for his number two for a golden opportunity to succeed him as first choice.
But it wasn’t always that simple for Sinisalo, as he has reflected on in a new interview this week.
Has he done enough?
Viljami Sinisalo says he ‘knew’ Celtic opportunity would come despite change of plan
Sinisalo said: “Obviously we’ve had different managers during the season so it’s very difficult.
“There was probably a plan of playing more than last season, there definitely was, which started alright in the League Cup.
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“Then obviously things happen and plans change, which is completely understandable. As a young keeper, you’re a little bit unfortunate at that time, maybe.
“But I’ve just tried to keep my head down and like I said to you, I’ve always known the opportunity would come eventually.
“I’ve just tried to genuinely work as hard as I can to be ready for that opportunity because you only get one career at it and one shot at it.
“So there’s no point wasting a day, which I haven’t done and will never do.
“There were plans, but obviously plans change when people change. It’s such a weird business, you don’t know what’s happening in a week’s time. There are injuries, there are selection decisions, there are things that can happen that you can’t [control].
“The only thing you can control is going out on that pitch and trying your best and doing as well as you can and not wasting a day. So yeah, it’s worked out alright.
“I pretty much understand that that’s the next game. I want to just keep improving and being better and trying to showcase to people who I am as a goalie.”
Who should be Celtic’s goalkeeper next season?
Viljami Sinisalo’s Celtic career so far
Sinisalo rejected a new contract at Aston Villa to join Celtic in 2024 after an impressive loan at Exeter City in League One.
He was made to wait for his debut, with Brendan Rodgers sticking by Schmeichel until February. Eventually, due to an injury to the Hoops keeper, Sinisalo made another seven appearances before the end of the season.
Schmeichel returned to his usual starting berth, despite not fully recovering from said injury. The situation reached breaking point in the last month, when the Dane was omitted from the matchday squad in a Glasgow Derby at Ibrox.
Since then, Sinisalo has enjoyed his longest run of games for the Hoops so far, largely performing well.
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