has made some great saves while I’ve been here. This is a collective, there’s no doubt about that.”
The Decision on the Bench
There is evidence of Schmeichel’s underperformance this season. He has conceded more goals than expected in those matches. Former Celtic player and BBC Scotland pundit Pat Bonner suggested that if Schmeichel were to stay as the first-choice goalkeeper, it could determine the fate of the team’s European campaign.
“Does the season hinge on it?
It might do because if Martin O’Neill opts to stick with Kasper Schmeichel, that’s a big decision. If he opts to change him, that’s a big decision,” Bonner said. “If you feel that’s the decision to be made because you feel more secure at the back, then you make it.”
Meanwhile, Sinisalo, the understudy goalkeeper, is being considered for promotion. Celtic face Hibernian and Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, either side of next Thursday’s Europa League clash against Stuttgart.
A Collective Responsibility
Captain Callum McGregor echoed O’Neill’s sentiments, emphasizing that mistakes are part of team sports: “Everyone makes mistakes. Kasper has been amazing since he’s come to the club. He’ll dust that down.
We win as a team and lose as a team.” The collective responsibility was also highlighted by O’Neill’s statement about Schmeichel’s past performances, which have supported the team in crucial matches.
The defeat against Stuttgart marks another challenging moment for Celtic as they navigate their European campaign and face domestic competition. The performance criticism on Schmeichel is just one aspect of a season that has seen its share of ups and downs.
