Celtic will soon be adding Kasper Schmeichel to the first-team squad, addressing the void left by Joe Hart’s retirement at the end of last season.
The latest reporting suggests that the Danish international will be undergoing a medical in Italy before flying out and meeting up with his new Bhoys teammates in the United States.
The signing is a reunion for the veteran and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers. The two worked together closely during Rodgers’ time as Leicester City boss, trusting Schmeichel to be his number one.
Rodgers has gone with experience and quality over potential, choosing a very similar profile to Hart to see the Bhoys through the upcoming season.
Brendan Rodgers is a massive fan of Kasper Schmeichel
Rodgers’ admiration for Schmeichel is obvious. Back in 2019 when asked about the shot-stopper, he described the player as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe – up there with Ederson of Manchester City and Alisson of Liverpool.
The then Foxes manager said [Daily Mail]: “Is he up there with Ederson and Alisson? Absolutely no question. He is one of the top goalkeepers in European football. Hopefully, you’re seeing all his qualities.
“He probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves, there’s no doubt about that. Everyone talked about his father but this is a boy who in his own right has come through the hard way. He has been out on loan, been up to play in Scotland.
You can never imagine it, to play under the [tag of] ‘Peter Schmeichel’s my dad’. But that’s something he’s had to fight with all his life.
“And now it’s about Kasper Schmeichel, which he’s thoroughly deserved. He looks after his body. He’s fit, you see how lean he is, and that helps his concentration. He’s got great energy and he’s a real leader within our squad.”
Celtic boss knows exactly what he’s getting
That leadership Rodgers talks about will be important. Hart was a noted leader within the Bhoys dressing room over the last three years and replacing that is one of the strong upsides of Schmeichel’s signing.
Schmeichel may be a bit older than when the Celtic boss described him as one of the best on the continent but he’s shown over the last 12 months he can still compete at a high level.
His save percentages and goals prevented were the most impressive in Belgium last season playing for Anderlecht and he had a strong Euro 2024 too.
Celtic are getting a keeper who is still pushing forward and has the hunger to compete. He may be at the tail-end of his career, but it’s clear he still has plenty to offer. Rodgers will have sensed that in discussions and it’s the Bhoys who should benefit next term.
