“I like Kasper a lot, but he cost us a lot of goals in Portugal,” Nicklas Bendtner

Former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner believes it’s time for Denmark to drop Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel…

Kasper Schmeichel in pain in Lisbon — UEFA Nations League: Portugal – Denmark. Referee Slavko Vincic looks at Denmark’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who is in pain in the shoulder during the UEFA Nations League playoff match in League A at JosÃ Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo: Bo Amstrup Ritzau Scanpix)

Kasper has faced intense scrutiny all week

Kasper Schmeichel has faced intense scrutiny all week following heavy criticism over the goals he let in during Denmark’s Nations League loss to Portugal.

The Danish FA and Players Union stepped in after Schmeichel was insulted in a media column in his native country. He sustained a shoulder injury during the match and is likely to be sidelined for Celtic in the weeks ahead.

Bendtner, his former international teammate with 81 caps for Denmark, believes it’s time for the 38-year-old Schmeichel to step aside and make room for rising goalkeepers.

UEFA Nations League: Portugal – Denmark Denmark’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is in pain in the shoulder during the UEFA Nations League playoff match in League A between Portugal and Denmark at JosÃ Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo: Bo Amstrup Ritzau Scanpix)

Two English Premier League keepers knocking on the door

“My question mark for the Danish team is in the goalkeeping position. It’s been discussed loudly and heatedly. We have two English Premier League keepers knocking on the door and one of them plays every week. I’m just saying that Kasper Schmeichel is 38 years old now. I like Kasper a lot, but he cost us a lot of goals in Portugal,” he said as reported by Scottish Sun.

Leicester City goalkeeper Mads Hermansen rolls the ball out during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Leicester City FC at St James’ Park on December 14, 2024. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

‘He has grown bigger. I admire the man a great deal, but when he is 38’

“He has grown bigger. I admire the man a great deal, but when he is 38 in such an important position and you have two Premier League goalkeepers behind you, it’s time for a change of keeper under manager Brian Riemer. I would expect Mads Hermansen to play in our friendly matches in June to see how he copes with it. And once Leicester City get relegated, I would imagine half of the English Premier League will try and sign him.”

Viljami Sinisalo of Celtic during the second half of their pre-season friendly match against Manchester City at Kenan Stadium on July 23, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Viljami Sinisalo is set to step up at Celtic

Meanwhile Viljami Sinisalo is set to step up to the Celtic first team tomorrow for his Scottish Premiership debut against Hearts at Celtic Park, with Kasper Schmeichel almost certain to be missing with the shoulder injury he sustained in Portugal in midweek. Brendan Rodgers is likely to confirm this around 1.30pm this afternoon at Lennoxtown.

Sinisalo could even have the gloves for the remainder of this season and will be looking to establish himself as the Celtic goalkeeper for the longer term.

Conor Spence