Scott Bain has backed Celtic teammate Viljami Sinisalo to become a major asset to the club, but warned fans to be patient as the young goalkeeper continues his development.
The 23-year-old joined Celtic from Aston Villa last summer in a £1m deal and made a run of starts towards the back end of last season. He stepped up when Kasper Schmeichel was sidelined with a shoulder injury and impressed the fans.
Celtic released Scott Bain at the start of the summer, with the goalkeeper and since signed for newly-promoted Falkirk.
The former Celtic goalie praised Sinisalo’s potential and mentality but stressed that experience remains crucial at this level.
“When he came in and played those five games last season he was excellent, really showed what he was about,” Scott Bain exclusively told CeltsAreHere. “I think he showed he can go and become a Celtic number one.
“I always tried to give him little bits of advice with things I felt I could help with, and Vil was one of these guys who was always asking questions and wanted to learn. I hope we get to see a lot more of him at times because with his potential he can go on to become a big goalkeeper and major asset for the club.
“He has that self belief. Listen, when you’re young you can think you’re the best. That you’re the best in the world and nobody’s gonna score. It’s not until you get to 26/7/8 you can have some doubt and realise you’re not invincible. He is a real confident boy and as long as he keeps that and builds it game by game when he gets that game time, it’ll stand him in good stead.
“He’s young, he’s gonna make mistakes at times as the best goalkeepers in the world do at times. It’s important that Celtic fans realise he’s not the finished article, but he will be. When he gets more games and experience under his belt.”
With Schmeichel entering the final year of his contract, the Finnish international is expected by many to step up and take the gloves. He’s already showing he can, impressing with his fast reactions, but also the confidence that oozes out of him with the ball at his feet.
Sinisalo has already stated he isn’t in Glasgow to sit on the bench and the Finnish international will hope for more chances to prove he can be the club’s long-term number one.
Brendan Rodgers has said that Sinisalo is a “very, very talented keeper” and someone he is keen to keep around this season.
