Celtic and the importance of making a marquee signing amid Kasper Schmeichel arrival

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Kasper Schmeichel has finally joined Celtic as a free agent following his departure from Anderlecht at the end of last campaign.

The Denmark international will finally fill the void left by Joe Hart’s retirement, ending the Hoops’ prolonged hunt for a new goalkeeper.

At 37 years of age, Schmeichel comes in with a wealth of experience and will also take on a mentor role, helping fellow new stopper Viljami Sinisalo to develop into a valuable asset for the future.

Joining on a one-year contract with the option of a further 12 months, the former Leicester City man’s reunion with Brendan Rodgers may not have a long life span; however, he is exactly the type of signing that the Celtic support craved this summer.

Kasper Schmeichel is a marquee signing for Celtic

What do you think of when you hear the words marquee signing? Usually, it’s someone with a distinguished profile in the game, experience winning of trophies, and an individual who has impact on the international scene.

Without argument, Schmeichel possesses all of these qualities. Having made over 280 appearances in the Premier League, his name is known across the world on its own merit, even if his father is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers ever.

Featuring for Denmark in every match at Euro 2024, he has taken his international cap tally to 105 in total, with appearances at Euro 2020 and two World Cup finals also factored in.

Famously, he was a central part of the Leicester City side that shocked the world by claiming Premier League glory back in 2016. Under Rodgers’ stewardship, Schmeichel also helped the Foxes secure the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2021.

Evidently, the Dane is now at a stage in his career where some may suspect the veteran is suffering from age-based decline. Think again: Schmeichel had the best save percentage rate in the Belgian Pro League last term with 79.3%, equating to 3.9 saves per 90 minutes for Anderlecht.

This meant he prevented a whopping 14.36 goals on league duty over the course of 2023/24. Compared to Hart, his save percentage was 67.9%, conceding 29 efforts from an Expected Goals tally of 29.

Marquee can be defined in several different ways, but Celtic fans were hungry for high-profile additions this summer, and there is no doubt Schmeichel falls into that bracket.

Whether he lives up to his reputation at Parkhead remains to be seen; however, he is an astute operator that will gain the full backing of the Bhoys’ support.