Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to Celtic TV and revealed the potential length of time he will be without his number one Kasper Schmeichel…
The Irishman had to do without his experienced shot-stopper on Saturday afternoon against Neil Critchley’s Hearts side, where Viljami Sinisalo was thrust into the limelight after some time in the shadow of the Danish international.
It looks like the Finnish star will be given a chance to really prove his worth in that Celtic goalkeeping role in the next month or so, as Brendan Rodgers revealed that following the results of some scans on Kasper’s shoulder injury he picked up during the international break, he could be sidelines for five to six weeks.
Viljami will have the opportunity to play in some big games
That means Viljami will have the opportunity to play in some big games for his manager at the tail end of the campaign.
‘Five to six weeks is what was mentioned’
“We’ve had some news and we will see over the course of the next five to six weeks is what was mentioned,” Rodgers said to Celtic TV. “But this is just something that I think day by day we have a look at it. I think the timeline that was given to us was maybe around that but Kasp tends to think it might not be as long as that. But certainly in the immediate future he won’t be available.”
Kasper pushing to be back earlier
When prompted on whether there is cause for optimism that we will see the Great Dane back in the team before the end of the season, he replied that there was hope he could still make some of those crucial matches we have coming up, saying: “Yeah I believe so, but like I say we will just need to keep an eye on him.”
Sinisalo – ‘I’m pleased for him’
However the boss did have plenty of praise for the rarely seen Sinisalo, who up until recently had not really been seen in the limelight for the Hoops. “I was very pleased,” Brendan admitted. “To come into a big game like this here, he’s a confident boy and he trusts his ability, and out there on the pitch he looked competent and very assured, so I’m pleased for him.”
Speaking more generally about the game and the team’s performance and ultimately, result, he added: “I thought it was a very good performance and result on the back of an international break and players being away, and obviously the group only coming together on Friday. I thought the connections were really good and the three first-half goals were of outstanding quality.
‘We controlled the game’
“So I’m really pleased. Obviously Hearts have been on a really good run and coming here and wanting to press the game early in a similar shape to what Hibs did and what (the)Rangers did, but we figured it out and worked out way through it well. And in the second half we just wanted to make sure we controlled the game.
“We obviously wanted to attack and create opportunities, but control it was important and make sure we didn’t give anything to Hearts.”
Paul Gillespie
