Denmark manager Brian Riemer has made it clear that Kasper Schmeichel will not be allowed to leave the national team camp early, despite the likelihood he won’t start both games in their upcoming friendlies. The Celtic goalkeeper is part of the Danish squad for their matches against Northern Ireland and Lithuania this week.

At 38, Schmeichel remains a key player for his country and is still considered Denmark’s No.1 ahead of their World Cup qualifiers later this year, including a trip to face Scotland. His experience is unmatched in the squad, with 113 caps under his belt. The next most experienced keeper, Oliver Christensen of Salernitana, has just one appearance to his name.

Kasper SchmeichelSoccer Football – Euro 2024 – Round of 16 – Germany v Denmark – Dortmund BVB Stadion, Dortmund, Germany – June 29, 2024
Denmark’s Kasper Schmeichel looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen

With that in mind, Riemer wants to give time to the uncapped goalkeepers in camp while still maintaining the presence of Schmeichel. However, any chance of giving the Celtic man additional rest before pre-season begins at Lennoxtown has been dismissed out of hand.

He said: (TCW), “There is no question of Kasper or any player leaving the camp early unless they are injured.

“I haven’t decided anything about the starting lineup, but I understand that we need to look at all our goalkeepers because so few have actually played international football apart from Kasper.

“Mads Hermansen is currently injured and he also doesn’t have any international matches.

“We are in a situation where it is a factor that is in my head, which I acknowledge.

“We have two goalkeepers here, besides Kasper, who have been involved very little, even just in training, with the national team.

“So I have to see a lot of them this week and then I have to make some decisions.”

Schmeichel joined Celtic last season and has brought calmness and command between the posts, with the exception of the Scottish Cup Final. As Brendan Rodgers looks to build another squad to challenge on all fronts this summer, he’ll know how important the keeper’s experience could prove across domestic and European games.

Soccer Football – Champions League – Knockout Phase Playoff – Second Leg – Bayern Munich v Celtic – Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany – February 18, 2025 Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth

While his workload may need to be managed through the course of a demanding season, there will be no early break this month. Riemer’s stance highlights the high regard in which Schmeichel is held at international level, despite his recent form for Celtic.

The Dane will turn 39 in November, but his place at the top of the Danish pecking order has yet to be seriously threatened. That security, though, isn’t leading to any shortcuts — a point that Riemer is determined to make clear.

Celtic fans might have hoped Schmeichel would get some extra rest before a busy 2025/26 season, with Champions League qualifiers coming in late August, but for now, international duty comes first