The Celtic star is coming under fire after a difficult night in the Europa League.
Martin O’Neill has addressed whether or not he will make a change at goalkeeper after Celtic lost 4-1 to Stuttgart in the Europa League.
Experienced shot-stopper Kasper Schmeichel was culpable for the first and third goals for the German side in the first leg of their knockout round play-off, amid criticisms of him this season. Viljami Sinisalo is the back-up keeper and debate has broken out over whether the club’s number one needs to be dropped for him amid a tough run of games, as claims of booing breaking out from a section of fans as he touched the ball on occasions during this clash emerged online.
Benjamin Nygren had levelled for boss O’Neill but the German side dismantled their opposition and all but ended their chances of progress on the continent. Next up is Hibs in the Premiership, where they sit third with a game in hand on leaders Hearts, and O’Neill was asked post match about Schmeichel’s hard time off the fans. He was also asked whether he’d back him to come out a form slump.
Will Kasper Schmeichel be dropped by Celtic?
The boss said: “I didn’t know that. All I will say is we played Feyenoord in a game that we probably had to win. I think it was 1-1 at the time and he made an unbelievable save. Otherwise we wouldn’t be here playing. Anyway, this is a team game and we will all have to deal with it.”
He was then asked ‘are you going to stick with him for the rest of the season’ and offered no assurances. O’Neill said: “You’re asking me a question here on Thursday night, so who knows what might happen at the end of it all. All I will say is Kasper Schmeichel has had I’m quite sure, and I can’t say that I have followed every single match he’s ever played, but he’s played so many games.
“He’s had some dips in his time and he’s come roaring back. Sinisalo has played in my time here. He has played games. Kasper Schmeichel has done exceptionally well for me in my time here.”
Martin O’Neill on Celtic 1-4 Stuttgart
James McFadden covered the game on Sportsound and the Scotland legend said: “I think Martin O’Neill has a decision to make. Next week might well be an opportunity to see Viljami Sinisalo. We are singling him out – they are quite simple saves that he should make. Stuttgart looked like they have real quality in attack, but Celtic look like they are going to concede.
“The goalkeeper is the last line of defence and he is going to take the flak, but in front of him, can you do more to make the chances more difficult? The two shots that go in should be saved.”
Captain Callum McGregor told TNT Sports: “Everyone makes mistakes. Kasper has been amazing since he’s come to the club. He’ll dust that down. We win as a team and lose as a team. There’s no blame, he’s made so many big saves for us. He’ll bounce back for sure. It’s a difficult night, but come Sunday (vs Hibs) we have to be ready.”