KASPER SCHMEICHEL will make his debut in Paradise on Sunday when he takes his place between the sticks for the visit of Kilmarnock on Flag Day.
The Danish international legend has already displayed glimpses of things to come in the successive wins over Manchester City (4-3) in North Carolina and Chelsea (4-1) in Indiana during the US tour.
Now the towering netminder will get his first taste of competitive action at Parkhead as the Hoops embark on the bid for a fourth title in a row and their thirteenth championship in 14 years.
The magical fifty-fifth crown in the club’s history is also in the sights of Brendan Rodgers’ men as they continue their pursuit of domestic domination in the 21st Century.
JOLLY GREEN GIANT…Kasper Schmeichel is ready to come out laughing as he faces the Celtic challenge.
Schmeichel is ready to play his part and he admitted he hopes to emulate the achievements of his friend Joe Hart who was a former team-mate at Manchester City in seasons 2006/09.
The 75 times-capped England international keeper bowed out of football at the age of 37 – the same age as Schmeichel is now – and took a final bow with customary class with a shut-out in the 1-0 Scottish Cup showcase triumph over Philippe Clement’s Ibrox also-rans at Hampden on May 25.
The Celt left with the cheers of a grateful support ringing in his ears as he picked up his seventh honour in three years at the club following his bargain £1million arrival from Spurs in August 2021.
Schmeichel admitted: “Having followed Joe and known him – and known the difficulties he went through in his career – to come to a club this size and get, from what I felt, the respect and adulation he deserves, I was quite thankful to the Celtic fans for that.
“I thought, for the career he had, Joe deserved that kind of send-off.
THE BEST OF ENEMIES… friendly foes Kasper Schmeichel and Joe Hart share a joke after a Leicester City v Manchester City game.
“I watched the last league game of the season when they lifted the trophy and I watched the Cup Final, as well, and that was great to see.
“So, I was very impressed with how good a send-off he got.”
Offering his first impressions after signing a one-year deal with a 12-month option, Schmeichel, speaking to the Celtic club website, continued: “I’ve settled in very nicely and the players have made it very easy for me.
“It’s a good group of people, so it’s been nice.
“I always look back on my career now and the times where I was probably at my best and my happiest as a footballer was under Brendan at Leicester.
“It was certainly the time that I enjoyed football the most, so I always had a lot of positive memories, and the chance to work with him again is a big thing.
“I’m very grateful to him for giving me this opportunity, so it’s been good all round.
“This is a massive club with worldwide recognition and obviously being part of a winning culture was a big thing for me, coming to a place where you’re expected to win every single game.
“That was definitely something which really appealed to me.”
THE FINAL FAREWELL…an emotional Joe Hart after his last game for Celtic, the 1-0 Scottish Cup victory over Rangers at Hampden on May 25.
Schmeichel, who has been capped 105 times and captained Denmark in their four games in the recent Euro 24 tournament in Germany, added: “I’m not the type of guy who sets those type of limitations or expectations.
“I’m here to do a job and play the best that I can and any opportunity I get to do that, that’s my focus.
“I’m not going to be the guy who sits here and says, I’m going to do this or I’m going to do that.
“For me, the best goalkeepers are the ones you don’t notice that much, they’re the ones who’re there consistently and do their job, and that’s what I’m here to do.
“I’m here to help this club keep winning, keep being the successful and big club that they are, so I’m not really looking beyond that.”
Schmeichel has sampled football in France with Nice and in Belgium with Anderlecht in the past two years.
Now the Great Dane can prepare for a warm welcome to Scotland when he walks onto Celtic Park for the first time for Sunday’s 4.30pm kick-off.
