Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel took a leading role before the Hoops’ traditional pre-match huddle in the lead up to yesterday’s 3-0 victory over Hibernian.

The veteran stopper stood out between the sticks in the victory, making several crucial saves as strikes from Arne Engels and Kyogo Furuhashi, either side of a Joe Newell own goal, helped the Hoops to victory.

Schmeichel was quite easily the standout performer in yesterday’s triumph and deservedly won the in-stadium man of the match award.

He has flourished since moving to Scotland, continually making magnificent saves and remaining more than capable with the ball at his feet.

The 38-year-old’s experience has also shone through, and he’s proved himself to be a leader within the group.

That was no more apparent than in the lead-up to kick-off yesterday. As captain Callum McGregor went across to the officials for the coin toss, the Celtic players readied themselves for the traditional pre-match huddle.

With everyone standing waiting, Schmeichel, much like he did after Cameron Carter-Vickers’ own goal against Club Brugge, assumed a leading role, getting his teammates up for the match:

Time to add a new term to the Celtic lexicon – namely the “Pre-Huddle”, which I’d define as the period between the players breaking from the line-up & Calmac returning to form the main Huddle.

Here we see Kasper Schmeichel v. Hibs yet again being the main motivational driver. pic.twitter.com/QetLIZoKBK

— The Fast Lovin’ Sin-Soaked Heathen (@fast_sin) December 7, 2024

Whatever Schmeichel and McGregor said pre-match must have worked because the Bhoys opened the scoring through Engels after only six minutes.

It ended up being a comfortable victory for the hosts, who yesterday moved nine points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a game in hand.