Viljami Sinisalo has qualities to be Celtic No.1

Antti Niemi believes Viljami Sinisalo has demonstrated he possesses the qualities required to handle the demands of being Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper following his display in the latest Glasgow Derby clash…

Viljami Sinisalo of Celtic applauds the fans prior to the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

The 24-year-old was handed a second consecutive start for the Hoops in the dramatic 2-2 draw at Ibrox on Sunday, stepping in again with Kasper Schmeichel unavailable through illness. In his Definitve Ratings yesterday Sandman was full of praise for the new Celtic No.1.

Sinisalo had previously featured in a Glasgow Derby fixture last season, starting the closing stages of the campaign in a dead-rubber 1-1 draw at Ibrox in May.

However, Niemi – the former Rangers and Hearts goalkeeper who spent much of his time as a deputy at Ibrox before moving to Tynecastle – was particularly impressed by how his fellow Finn coped with the intensity and pressure of this high-stakes encounter.

Speaking via Daily Record, Niemi said: “Last spring the situation was pretty clear, Celtic were practically already champions, but they were playing for big stakes on Sunday. So this game was truly a significant event in Viljami’s career. It ultimately showed that he was trusted.”

Kieran Tierney and Viljami Sinisalo of Celtic applaud the fans following their team’s draw in the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

“Pressure is something you can’t practice in advance – you can only face it and bear it. Every touch mattered and every single thing that happened would be analysed with a magnifying glass. Viljami will now be tougher for the experience and better for it. I can’t think of a better test.”

Ross Doohan (L) and Viljami Sinisalo of Celtic warm up prior to the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

“He stepped into something that is hard to explain to someone who hasn’t experienced it first-hand. The Old Firm is not just a match. It’s a phenomenon. It’s a feeling that starts weeks before kick-off and continues long after the final whistle.”

Niemi added: “People who haven’t seen it or are unfamiliar with Scottish football might shrug their shoulders. But that’s just the way it is – the intensity and the pressure are on a different level than anywhere else in Britain.”

“Viljami Sinisalo will certainly win and lose an Old Firm game at some point. Both will help him in his career. I’m really happy for Viljami.”

“I lost my only Old Firm game 5-1 to Celtic. In Scotland, that always leaves a stain. The result is not forgotten. But at the same time, it taught me more than many victories. It taught me how to deal with disappointment, stand tall after a defeat and play the next training session with even greater determination.”

Conor Spence