Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Thu 26 February 2026 20:30, UK

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Kasper Schmeichel has been under tremendous pressure at Celtic due to some of his mistakes during the 2025-26 campaign.

The 39-year-old has been the first-choice shot-stopper since his arrival in July 2024, making 88 appearances for the Hoops and becoming a much-loved figure.

Joe Hart had done the same during his final three seasons as a professional goalkeeper, though supporters are now questioning the tactic of signing older players on free transfers.

While Schmeichel was key for Celtic last season, he appears have become more of a liability, and amongst many calls for his benching, Martin O’Neill did exactly that in the Europa League.

Viljami Sinisalo was given the nod against VfB Stuttgart, and the manager may not look back.

Kasper Schmeichel could become familiar with the Celtic bench

Sinisalo, 24, has made just 14 first-team appearances since signing from Aston Villa in July 2024, coming in at the same time as Schmeichel, and losing the battle for a starting spot.

Against a high-flying Bundesliga team, however, he was full of confidence, making six key saves, coming to punch once, acting as a sweeper once and making 10 recoveries [FotMob].

Stuttgart have some of the most exciting attackers in Europe, but they were nothing more than a test for the second-choice shot-stopper, helping the Hoops to a historic win in Germany.

But what could this mean for Schmeichel’s future? Well, it certainly throws doubt over it.

• Read more: Celtic and Rangers face “disastrous” £40million reality after new update.

Viljami Sinisalo gives Martin O’Neill a major headache

Schmeichel’s current deal runs out at the end of the summer, and if Celtic are going to be prepared for the end of his time in Scotland, it might be time for the younger goalkeeper to be given a chance.

Sinisalo was absolutely brilliant against Stuttgart, so it would be extremely harsh to axe him now.

Of course, there is a fine balance between form and experience, and the latter will be even more important, given that the Hoops are very much still in the Scottish Premiership title race.

Supporters have been calling for Schmeichel to be dropped, and if they got their way, Sinisalo would be between the sticks until the end of the season now.