Add as preferred source on Google Celtic will have every right to be annoyed with the Finland manager’s suggestion that Viljami Sinisalo may not play a single minute for his national team during the international break.
Sinisalo has been brilliant for Celtic since stepping in to replace the injured Kasper Schmeichel and seems to be the number one for the rest of the season.
The 24-year-old is set to be included in his nation’s squad for the upcoming international fixtures in March, which includes a long-haul trip.
Should Viljami Sinisalo be the long-term replacement for Kasper Schmeichel?
Viljami Sinisalo not expected to play for Finland despite call-up
Finland will face New Zealand and Cape Verde in Auckland for the 2026 FIFA Series but has been told that any game time will be unlikely.
Head coach Jacob Friis said he had been impressed by Sinisalo, but he will be sticking with Lukas Hradecky in goal unless he was forced into a change.
Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty Images
“The plan has always been for me that if our captain Lukas Hradecky is back fit and playing again, he will be our keeper in New Zealand,” he said.
“Maybe managers will think it’s a long way, but clubs also cannot prevent their players from joining the national team.
“Of course it is a challenge, but we can do something to mitigate the effects of the journey.”
A 24-hour plus trip awaits Sinisalo and that time travelling to and from New Zealand will not benefit Celtic at all ahead of the end-of-season run-in.
Tell us why…
Not only will he miss out on some game time, he will also face the issue of jetlag. An away game against Dundee will be the first fixture back. Let’s just hope it doesn’t cost Celtic.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox