Kasper Schmeichel watched from the sidelines as Celtic fell to a 3-2 defeat against Estrela da Amadora, with the experienced keeper left out of the action in Portugal.

The Denmark international is being gradually reintegrated after linking up with the squad earlier in the week, and Brendan Rodgers has confirmed he’s on course to feature in Wednesday’s high-profile friendly against Sporting Lisbon in Faro.

The defeat came as a reality check for Celtic, reminding the squad that sharpness and cohesion needed even in pre-season. Despite the result, Rodgers remains optimistic that Schmeichel’s experience will prove important next season.

Celtic fans will be keen to see Schmeichel back in action between the sticks. A friendly with Sporting Lisbon provides the perfect opportunity to assess his match fitness and readiness for competitive action in August.

He said: (RecordSport), “Yes, again, he’s only sort of met up with us at the beginning of the week.

“So we’ll just get him moving again, he missed today, and then be available for the next game.”

Rodgers is taking a careful approach with Schmeichel’s return. The Danish keeper only joined up with the squad earlier this week and is being given time to build up fitness and sharpness. There’s no rush to throw him in too soon and risk an early setback.

Even so, it’s clear Rodgers has full trust in him. The friendly against Sporting is an ideal chance for Schmeichel to get minutes under his belt and start settling into his role at the heart of Celtic’s defence.

The next game is more than just another pre-season test. Schmeichel’s presence could bring calm to a defence that looked shaky on Saturday and give the team a lift ahead of tougher challenges to come. His experience and voice from the back will be key as the games start to pile up.

Rodgers has said Schmeichel is ready to return, and all signs point to the experienced shot-stopper stepping in from the start.