GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Kasper Schmeichel (R) and Viljami Sinisalo during a Celtic training session at the Lennoxtown Training Centre, on February 28, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Vil Sinisalo is relaxed about the prospect of Celtic signing a goalkeeper.
Two years ago the young Finnish keeper arrived at Celtic as back-up to Kasper Schmeichel.
At the end of February that process took place in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Schmeichel’s shoulder injury became too much to carry with Sinisalo dropped in at the deep end.
A run of four matches at Stuttgart, Ibrox, Pittodrie and Ibrox again would test the mettle of the back up.
Sinisalo barely put a foot wrong.
The back-up became the first choice ‘keeper with a new issue set for the summer transfer window.
Do Celtic sign a Number 1 keeper or a ‘new Sinisalo’ arriving as back up but looking to take his opportunity if circumstances are favourable.
THE CONFIDENCE OF SINISALO
Four matches into new season Celtic have yet to sign a new goalkeeper.
Every second day a new name is linked to Celtic.
Recently Blackburn’s Balzas Toth was strongly linked with joining Celtic but Ross Doohan remains the back up to Sinisalo.
Reflecting on the speculation Sinisalo told the Herald:
Competition brings the best out of players, but I’m not really fussed what gets brought in. It’s the same for any player.
I’ve got the shirt, and I’ve said it many times, I want to keep it.
I’ve got no intention of letting go of that because I’ve worked so hard to get it.
It’s an amazing club to play for and once you get that taste of it, of winning trophies, playing Champions League nights, why wouldn’t you want to do that more and more? That’s my mentality, and I think everyone knows that.
With every appearance Sinisalo is cementing his place as Celtic’s first choice keeper.
Three of his first 20 Celtic appearances were at Ibrox, he wasn’t on a losing team and impressed as much by his organisational skills as his shot stopping.
Coming through the run-in to the SPFL title last season was a priceless experience.
Only his performance in the 3-2 win at Motherwell could be questioned.
Last week against LASK Celtic needed a strong goalkeeper, they had that in Sinisalo.
Tuesday night in Austria will be another huge test for the former Aston Villa reserve.
If Sinisalo helps Celtic into the group stage any new goalkeeper is more likely to arrive as back-up rather than sending Sinisalo back to that status.
