GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 07: Celtic's Kasper Schmeichel at full time during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park, on December 07, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
A home match against second bottom of the table Hibs looked like being a fairly routine appearance for Kasper Schmeichel but turned out to be anything but.
From the opening minutes he was dealing with shots and corners, he made six significant saves in total, the bulk of then facing strikers one on one and returned home with the Man of the Match award.
At the end of the match there was an unexpected turn. Last Christmas by Wham has been adapted by fans of various clubs down the years with Ronny Deila, Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou previously serenaded in song.
Breaking with tradition the 2024 version has been dedicated to a player with Schmeichel the recipient after an outstanding display behind an unusually vulnerable Celtic defence.
In 15 SPFL matches Schmeichel has kept 12 clean sheets, a fantastic record at any level with that record being ferociously guarded from first whistle till last.
After spells at Leicester City, Nice and Anderlecht the reason that the Danish legend moved to Celtic was to win things, he knew the club well from keeping contact with Joe Hart.
Next Sunday Schmeichel can pick up his first winners medal as a Celtic player when he heads to Hampden for the League Cup Final but for now the target is a clean sheet away to Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night.
