Kasper Schmeichel has broken his silence after disgraceful remarks were made about his appearance during Denmark’s Nations League clash with Portugal in March.

The Celtic goalkeeper suffered a fractured shoulder during the match but chose to remain on the pitch, knowing his side had no substitutes left. Despite being in visible pain and continuing to throw himself around to help his team, a pundit in Denmark crossed a line, comparing Schmeichel to “a child with polio” and labelling him “out of shape”.

The outburst prompted fury in Denmark, with the Danish PFA condemning the comments.

Now back fit and part of Celtic’s Scottish Cup Final squad, Schmeichel addressed the storm with typical composure and maturity.

“I was born in the 80s and I grew up in the 90s and I genuinely believe it is the best era to have been a child,” he said, as quoted by The Times. “We had technology, but we didn’t have internet. We didn’t have phones and we weren’t attached to all this stuff. And I learned very early in my career just not to read about myself.

“I haven’t read a single word about it. Obviously, I’ve been made aware from different people, but I haven’t read it. It is what it is. I play football, and football is the most popular sport in the world. Everyone’s going to have opinions.”

“I take advice and I take praise and criticism from the people that are closest to me.”

Schmeichel has been the perfect replacement for Joe Hart, despite the scepticism that surrounded his signing. He’s been a class addition on the pitch as well as off the pitch and is a natural leader on the Celtic side.

Brendan Rodgers was keen to ensure that he got his man, and personally phoned the Dane, having previously worked with him, and it’s been a great decision from the gaffer.

His contract jas been extended into next season, which will see it expire when he’s 39.