Kasper Schmeichel is proving to be one of Celtic’s signings of the summer after joining on a free transfer to reunite with Brendan Rodgers.
Immediately making his presence felt, the veteran goalkeeper has kept 11 clean sheets in 18 appearances for the Bhoys across all competitions.
While his handling has been up to scratch, Celtic fans have been surprised by Kasper Schmeichel’s footwork and distribution, all of which were on show against Kilmarnock last weekend.
Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images
Without Schmeichel’s four saves at Rugby Park, there is a very real chance that the Bhoys could’ve been on the end of a different result in Ayrshire. Nevertheless, when you have an international-class goalkeeper, they can make all the difference.
Now on international duty with Denmark, new boss Brian Riemer has delivered some insight on where the Celtic number one sits in his pecking order as he gets to work at Parken after succeeding interim duo Morten Weighorst and Lars Knudsen.
Brian Riemer addresses Denmark goalkeeper question
In conversation ahead of Denmark’s final two Nations League fixtures, Riemer delivered a coy response when pressed on whether Schmeichel or Leicester City stopper Mads Hermansen would start against Spain on Friday in Copenhagen.
He stated [Tipsbladet]: “Unlike some of my predecessors, I will not comment on my possible starting line-up before the match. You’ll have to see our team on Friday; I’d like to keep it to myself until then. It doesn’t matter if it’s our goalkeeper, backs or forwards.
“In purely competitive terms, I would give our opponent an advantage if I told now who should start where. We have to train three times, and then the coach sets the team, and then the starting line-up comes out to the public on Friday when we have to play.
“I choose the goalkeeper who is the best. It is very simple. I pick him based on parameters of how good he is at saving the ball, how good he is with his feet and what his leadership is like. The three elements are decisive for who is the goalkeeper for the Danish national team.”
Kasper Schmeichel showing no signs of slowing down
At 38, the Celtic stopper looks like a man who still has plenty to offer at the top level despite other peers his age either retired or well on their way to hanging up their gloves.
In fairness, most who the latter part references don’t have over a century of caps for their country, alongside nearly 300 appearances in the English top-flight and a winner’s medal in the Premier League.
Becoming a critical part of Brendan Rodgers’ framework, Schmeichel has maintained an 88.9% save percentage on Scottish Premiership duty, conceding just three times from 24 shots taken.
Considering Celtic didn’t have to pay a transfer fee for his services, what a signing the experienced stopper has turned out to be between the sticks. Hopefully, he can continue thriving for club and country.
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