Arguably Celtic’s signing of the summer, Kasper Schmeichel has taken to life in Glasgow’s east end like a duck to water.
The veteran stopper has firmly established himself as the best goalkeeper in Scotland and kept another clean sheet in his side’s goalless draw with Dundee United yesterday.
Schmeichel has already come up with some key moments for the Hoops, such as away at Atalanta, at home to Hibs with a man-of-the-match display, and in last weekend’s Premier Sports Cup final, when he crucially saved Ridvan Yilmaz’s spot-kick in a tense shootout.
Especially on a free, he is proving to be more of a shrewder signing every time he takes to the field, and, rather uncontroversially, ex-Celtic winger Aiden McGeady thinks the 38-year-old has been an upgrade on his predecessor, Joe Hart.
The Irishman was speaking on Sky Sports yesterday ahead of the Bhoys’ game at Tannadice: “No disrespect to Joe Hart, he’s (Schmeichel) possibly been a bit of an upgrade in terms of how good he is with the ball at his feet and the way he wants to play,” he said.
“He’s got loads of experience… Now he’s really settled.
“He’s a fantastic ‘keeper and has made some vital, vital saves.
“I think Joe Hart was a slightly different goalkeeper and possibly more of a vocal leader, but Schmeichel has been fantastic for Celtic this season.”
McGeady’s comparisons between Schmeichel and his old friend Hart are hardly controversial.
The pair came through together at Manchester City, and although they went on to have equally successful yet different careers, they each spent their latter days at Celtic.
Even though he has now retired, Hart’s love affair with the Hoops has continued, and he was even at yesterday’s game in Dundee with his son.
