When Joe Hart waved farewell to Celtic fans at the end of last season, there was no doubt his departure left a sizeable void.
The towering Englishman had been a cornerstone of Celtic’s recent success – his leadership, consistency, and clutch saves often the foundation of the team’s dominance.
His impact was perfectly captured by the banner that honoured him during his final match at Parkhead. Replacing a figure like that was never going to be easy.
Yet, the arrival of Kasper Schmeichel has not only eased concerns but has ushered in a new era of goalkeeping excellence at Celtic Park. The 38-year-old Danish international has brought vast experience, steely composure, and a knack for pivotal moments, quickly becoming a fan favourite. Schmeichel has seamlessly filled Hart’s gloves, proving he is more than capable of handling the pressure that comes with being Celtic’s number one, despite his age.
His heroics in the League Cup Final were particularly poignant, as Celtic edged Rangers in a thrilling penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw. The moment Schmeichel guessed right to save Yilmaz’s penalty was a defining snapshot of his early Celtic career.
Schmeichel’s influence has extended beyond just saves. His presence exudes confidence, and his wealth of experience has provided a calming influence on Celtic’s backline. Fans have embraced him fully, with a new festive chant to the tune of Wham’s “Last Christmas”.
Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo was quick to praise Schmeichel’s influence both on and off the pitch. Highlighting the Dane’s leadership qualities, Bernardo said: [RecordSport]
“Kasper is one of the leaders of our team. He has so much experience. You look at everything he has achieved in his career and we can learn so much from him, he is a leader and is someone that we can look up to.
“We lost Joe in the summer but Kasper has come in and been amazing for the club. He is a great team-mate, he is a big personality and he has been a great signing for us.
“Kasper has done very well for us since coming in at the start of the season. He has kept a lot of clean sheets and in big moments, he has been so important. We can rely on Kasper in important times. He has shown that all season. His penalty save was amazing but we know that we can count on him in every game.”
Schmeichel’s contract includes a 12-month extension option, and given his performances, there’s a growing belief among fans that Brendan Rodgers should act swiftly to trigger it. At 38, Schmeichel still looks sharp, motivated, and fully capable of handling the demands of Scottish football and European competition.
