Kasper Schmeichel has returned to pre-season training with Celtic, sharing a photo on Instagram from the club’s camp in Portugal with the caption “Back at it.”
The experienced goalkeeper is heading into his second season at Celtic Park, looking to re-establish himself after a bruising end to the last campaign. Schmeichel was heavily criticised for his role in the Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen, where his mistake led to a costly own goal.
The veteran misjudged a cross late in the game, allowing the ball to slip through his hands and into the net, gifting Aberdeen an equaliser. The game ended 1-1 after extra time, and Celtic went on to lose 4-3 in the penalty shootout.
It was a bitter way to end a campaign that had seen the Dane enjoy long spells of consistency. Despite the Hampden error, Schmeichel finished the Premiership season with 19 clean sheets in 32 appearances, a record that showed his value to Brendan Rodgers’ side over the course of the year.
The club’s pre-season preparations are now in full swing. Celtic opened with a 1-0 win against Queen’s Park at Lesser Hampden, with Johnny Kenny grabbing the only goal. They followed that up with a convincing 2-1 victory over Cork City in Ireland.
Schmeichel’s social media post suggests he is focused on the work ahead rather than dwelling on the past. At 38, he remains one of the most experienced figures in the dressing room, and Rodgers will be counting on his leadership through another demanding campaign.
While the Cup final will linger in the memory for some, Celtic supporters will hope the former Premier League winner uses the setback as motivation to raise his level again.
With new signings likely to arrive and competition across the squad increasing, Schmeichel will know he has to hit the ground running.
