Kasper Schmeichel will cost us dearly if he keeps getting picked. But booing him is out of order. It’s up to Martin O’Neill to decide if the Great Dane keeps to gloves…
Celtic got what we deserved last night, and that was absolutely nothing as our European campaign came to an abrupt end after a 4-1 thumping at the hands of Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart who never got out of third gear and couldn’t believe just how easy it was to win at Celtic Park.
We weren’t totally outclassed as such, and played well in patches, but once again individual errors cost us dearly, with one man taking his fair share of the blame and that man was Kasper Schmeichel.
The veteran Dane is close to finishing his career a professional footballer, and is now counting down the days until his retirement, trying to hold onto his World Cup dream with Denmark where they will have to get through the qualifiers next month. Will Kasper keep the gloves for Denmark with the stakes so high. It’s doubtful to say the least.
Time running out on Kasper’s days as a first pick goalkeeper at Celtic is quickly running out. That was evident in his performance last night, especially his part in the first two goals, efforts an amateur keeper would have been embarrassed to conceded.
He appears to be protecting his left arm after that shoulder injury he suffered playing for his country in Portugal last season. Think back to Aberdeen’s equaliser at Hampden in the Scottish Cup final and to be honest that was the time for veteran keeper to hang up his gloves, at Celtic anyway.
The second Kilmarnock goal at the weekend was also revealing. The lobbed header looked easily saveable had he used his left arm but instead Kasper attempted to twist his body round to use his right hand to push away a family feeble effort yet he came up short. An elite side like FvB Stuttgart will have noticed this and tested Schmeichel whenever they could, reaping the benefits far too easily.
This isn’t a one off, it’s been evident for months, and why he keeps getting picked is a mystery. Brendan Rodgers, Martin O’Neill, Wilfried Nancy, and Martin O’Neill again have all put their faith in the Danish International, but it’s an issue that has the supporters constantly scratching their heads, leaving us all asking the same question, and that is why?
Why pick a goalkeeper whose best days are now behind him? A keeper who is forever costing the side, with his indecisive attitude clearly affecting the players in front of him. Even more bizarrely, Kasper is suffering from this shoulder injury, which makes it even more bizarre that he keeps getting selected in the starting XI.
Kasper was culpable of costing us a treble last season, something that should have signalled the end of his time at the club. Admittedly his earlier performances helped us win the league, and his crucial penalty stop was vital in us winning the League cup, but that’s his lot, and his form has gone steadily down hill ever since.
Martin O’Neill has now got to seriously consider his options concerning the goalkeeping position. Does he stick with the low on confidence, out of shape and past his best Kasper Schmeichel, or the younger more hungrier and agile Viljami Sinisalo?
If he has any aspirations of having a successful campaign, then it needs to be the latter.
A final word on the matter, as much as I think Kasper should no longer be starting for Celtic, the boos that were aimed in his direction by a sizeable number in the home support last night were totally out of order, and wholly unjustified.
No matter how badly a player representing the club is performing, turning on them can never be justified That’s a complete no-no in my book. It’s disgusting behaviour I hope we never hear again.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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As a Celtic and Eire supporter I hope Kasper plays for Denmark v Eire. Scales to score.
Casper has enjoyed a level of protection beyond the pale. The cup final and some inexplicable goals barely rustle the pundits to have a poke. He’s has been very, very poor but goes around shaking his head at team mates and shouting his head off. He’s not Casper the Ghost and fans can clearly see he’s needing benched. The Dane’s were booing him not too long ago. If he is playing with an injury then its time to rest him.
In over 60 years I have supported every player who pulled on the hoops. I lived in a fantasy land with some thinking maybe next week he will come good. Even Balikwisha got a second chance from me in the hope it would be OK. But last night was the straw that broke the camels back. If I had been at the game I would have booed. It is the only way he will get it into his head that he is at fault and has been since he came back from injury. Even more so, maybe it will sink into MONs head that he picked that team and Kasper should never have been in it and whats more, having known MON since he was a schoolboy, I know he is cute enough to know that Kasper is beyond useless. If that booing gets through and he knows he undermined the defence he will volunteer to stand down, if not the ruthless MON shows himself again and benches him
A professional footballer paid big money and not taking his fitness seriously is letting the fans down. It’s obvious to Mr Magoo that KS is about a stone overweight for his JOB. Why this has been allowed to happen who knows. He evidently has an issue with compulsive eating and at a club of Celtic’s stature it’s unforgivable. I repeat. It’s his JOB to stay lean. He is slow as a result. It’s an embarrassment. What are the trainers and nutrition guys doing. Too scared to tell him??