Is a legendary goalkeeper's time at Celtic coming to an abrupt end? That's the question buzzing around Celtic Park after manager Wilfried Nancy made a truly eyebrow-raising decision regarding Kasper Schmeichel. While optimism surrounds the club, let's not forget Nancy's record currently stands at just one win in five games. The victory against Aberdeen provided a temporary reprieve, but the pressure cooker is back on, and only a win against Livingston will keep the critics at bay.
Speaking of Livingston, they currently languish at the bottom of the Premiership. But don't let that fool you; these "easy" games often become the trickiest, especially if Celtic struggles to find an early breakthrough. And this is the part most people miss: complacency can be a far greater opponent than any team on paper.
All eyes are always glued to Nancy's team selections, and his latest choice is a real head-turner. Kasper Schmeichel hasn't just been relegated to the bench; he's been completely omitted from the matchday squad.
This decision has been met with resounding approval from a significant portion of the Celtic faithful, who have long advocated for Viljami Sinisalo to take the starting position. Schmeichel, despite his illustrious career, simply hasn't looked his best in recent months. It seemed inevitable that the Danish veteran would be dropped, regardless of the experience he brings to the team. But here's where it gets controversial... Is dropping experience truly the best move when facing pressure and needing a steady hand?
'Injured?' - That was the immediate reaction of many Celtic fans when the lineup was revealed. One supporter commented, "Is Schmeichel injured? Not even on the bench? Huge call but correct one for me. Great opportunity for Sinisalo to put a case to be No1."
Another fan echoed this sentiment: "Schmeichel being dropped is well overdue; he’s been awful since the end of last season! A solid performance and Sinisalo keeps the gloves."
Sinisalo has undoubtedly earned this opportunity. He's consistently performed well whenever called upon, yet has remained behind an underperforming Schmeichel in the pecking order. This situation highlights a common frustration among fans: seeing deserving players sidelined in favor of established names who may not be performing at their peak.
However, Schmeichel's complete absence from the bench raises a crucial question: has he perhaps sustained an injury? If so, this decision might be a result of necessity rather than a deliberate choice by Nancy to address Schmeichel's declining form. This distinction is important, as it could significantly alter perceptions of Nancy's leadership and decision-making.
Of course, Celtic fans didn't unanimously agree with all of Nancy's selections. Johnny Kenny's continued presence in the starting lineup drew some criticism, although it's worth acknowledging that Nancy's options are currently limited. This underscores the challenges faced by any manager: balancing fan expectations with the available resources and making tough calls that are inevitably subject to scrutiny. What do you think? Was Nancy right to drop Schmeichel, or is he making a mistake that could cost Celtic valuable points? And should Kenny be starting, given the other options? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
