Hart says Schmeichel still has massive role to play at Celtic

Celtic goalkeeping coach Joe Hart has underlined that Kasper Schmeichel remains a pivotal figure at the club despite the veteran keeper losing his starting place to Viljami Sinisalo.

A run of high-profile errors – a costly mistake at Kilmarnock followed by two concessions against VfB Stuttgart in the UEFA Europa League knockout play-off first leg – preceded Schmeichel’s withdrawal from the side through illness. The 39-year-old watched from the sidelines as Sinisalo produced a string of eye-catching displays in the return leg in Stuttgart, the 1-1 draw at Ibrox and last Wednesday’s vital 2-1 defeat of Aberdeen.

With Schmeichel now back in training, speculation has mounted over manager Martin O’Neill’s selection for the weekend, yet all indications suggest Sinisalo will retain the gloves when the team sheet is posted tomorrow morning, relegating Schmeichel to the substitutes’ bench.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Hart insisted the Denmark international’s influence will not diminish: “That’s life, that’s football. He’ll have been in it before. No one has a perfect career but I think it’s important now that he’s still a massive part of the squad. He still has a huge influence on the team, no getting away from it, whether he’s on the field or not.”

Hart, himself a former Celtic No.1, believes Schmeichel’s experience will be critical during the club’s looming title and cup run-ins. “I still think he’ll have an important role to play in this title run-in and cup run-in. At the moment he’s got a massive role to play for his football club. Sometimes I’ve done it as well. Sometimes it’s not on the pitch. Like I say, I still think he’ll get some important game time.”

The goalkeeping coach was quick to praise Sinisalo’s recent form: “Sinisalo was excellent, he was excellent in Stuttgart. I thought he had a really good, competent game on Sunday. They’ve got a really strong goalkeeping department, so I look forward to seeing how this one plays out.”

As the season enters its decisive phase, Celtic’s goalkeeping conundrum offers both a headache and a luxury: two accomplished keepers vying for one jersey, with Hart adamant the competition can only benefit the squad’s pursuit of silverware.