Viljami Sinisalo has been given the gloves for Celtic’s Europa League dead rubber in Stuttgart this evening (kick-off is at 5.45pm) and the Finnish keeper now has a tremendous opportunity to establish himself as the first pick goalie at Celtic…
It’s no secret that Kasper Schmeichel has been struggling in recent weeks and appears to be protecting his left shoulder, as we saw at Rugby Park for Kilmarnock’s second goal. VfB Stuttgart seemed to notice this and were rewarded when a few speculative and certainly saveable efforts found the back of the Celtic net.
"Have I seen enough…? I've seen glimpses" 😬
Former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart gives his thoughts on the current state of his old club, and ahead of the game in Stuttgart this evening.
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Had Kasper retained the gloves this evening further tests would follow. With his participation at the World Cup a priority for Celtic’s Great Dane, it’s imperative that he finds his best form quickly but that only comes when there are no fitness concerns. Maybe a rest will do him good and outside of Sinisalo putting in a brilliant performance it’s likely that Schmeichel will get the gloves back fairly quickly.
Kasper is in my view clearly hampered by an injury concern, related to a well documented problem in his left shoulder, something that’s been evident for quite some time. Efforts that should be meat and drink for a keeper of Kasper’s quality are being conceded. His throwing ability is restricted because of his shoulder, and his distribution, ironically what was his main attribute when he signed, is now sporadic and a real cause for concern, meaning he’s the proverbial weak link in our side at the moment.
In my opinion Viljami Sinisalo deserves to be starting over the Dane this evening against VfB Stuttgart. especially with a tough trip to Ibrox looming on Sunday. Pitting the Finn in against the Bundesliga side will give him some great confidence and experience with a view of starting in Govan on Sunday afternoon. It’s all in Viljami’s hands, he now has the gloves and he must show Martin O’Neill that his decision to change keepers this evening was correct.
Sinisalo is not an inexperienced keeper by any means. He’s a Finnish international after all, and he’s already played in some big games during his time in Glasgow, including an appearance at Ibrox in a 1-1 draw last season.
The six times capped 24 year old, is capable, he’s keen and eager to impress. Handing him the gloves from now on in will only be of benefit to the side if he can show the manager he’s worthy of a run of games.
Over to you Viljami, a clean sheet this evening please!
Celtic fans away in Stuttgart 🍀👏 pic.twitter.com/N57MIhe7Ps
— Ultras Clips (@ultras_clips) February 26, 2026
The teams this evening are as follows:
VfB Stuttgart (4-2-3-1): Nübel – Vagnoman, Jeltsch, Jaquez, Mittelstädt – Karazor, Andrés – Tomás, Bouanani, Leweling – Undav.
Celtic (4-3-3): Sinisalo – Donovan, Trusty, Murray, Saracchi – McCowan, McGregor, Hatate – Hyun-Jun, Adamu, Maeda.
COYBIG!
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
The debate around Sinisalo being a young keeper and it being a big game for him … he’s 24 which isn’t particularly young and playing in goal at Celtic is about temperament as well as ability so it’s a good opportunity for him tonight. Good luck to him. Big chance for him🍀
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) February 26, 2026
📋 The Celtic side for tonight#VfBStuttgartCeltic | #UEL | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/sN2LXz4vZz
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) February 26, 2026
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Kasper and his dodgy shoulder, no doubt if he plays on Sunday the manky mob will attempt to rough him up, and with brother cheatin there for good measure. Get inta them Celtic. Ftk.