KASPER SCHMEICHEL has revealed his career could be over.
Celtic’s 39-year-old legendary Danish keeper admitted he faces “10 to 12 months of rehab” with his damaged shoulder – and that could bring down the curtain on a remarkable career.
Schmeichel, who is out of contract at the champions in June, hasn’t played since the Hoops’ 2-1 loss to Hibs at Parkhead on February 22 with Viljami Sinisalo playing in five successive games and now a certainty to keep the gloves for the remainder of the season.
AGONY…Kasper Schmeichel screams in pain after injuring a shoulder in Denmark’s game against Portugal in Lisbon a year ago.
The 120 times-capped shotstopper dislocated a shoulder playing for Denmark against Portugal a year ago, but had to stay on as his country Danes had used all their substitutes.
Schmeichel has been managing the injury, but suffered further damage in the 4-1 home loss to VfB Stuttgart where he was culpable for two of the Bundesliga club’s goals.
Three days later, he played in the defeat to the Easter Road club – and, sadly, that could be his final appearance for Celtic.
A devastated Schmeichel said: “I was at a specialist yesterday and basically I’m going to need two surgeries now to fix my shoulder which is a bit of a blow.
“I’ve torn the bicep and the rotator cuff, dislocated the shoulder, torn the labrum. Everything’s kind of gone.
“To put it in terms you can understand, it’s like an outfielder doing their ACL and their Achilles at the same time.
A BIG HAND…Kasper Schmeichel acknowledges the Celtic fans.
“It’s looking like 10 to 12 months of rehab, so it’s been a strange few days.
“You don’t really know how to react to this because I could have potentially played my last-ever football game.
“I’ve been a footballer since the day I was born and that kind of thought is devastating. It’s very, very hard to wrap my head around at the moment.”
Schmeichel was at the Etihad Stadium last night to watch Manchester City, one of his former clubs, lose 2-1 against Real Madrid to exit on the Champions League on a 5-1 aggregate.
The iconic No.1, speaking to CBS, continued: “I was watching the keepers warm up and thinking I might never get to do that again, so in that sense it was a tough night.
“It’s been emotional because you’re looking at what could be waiting for you.
“I’ve been a footballer ever since I can remember and to think that I might not be able to do that again, that’s a tough one.
“I got the message yesterday that it could potentially be the end of my career because of my age. By the time I could potentially be back fit I’d be plus 40.
“I grew up through this generation, watching guys that played football with their hearts. I’ve played through countless injuries and right now my mind is like: ‘Okay, yeah, I’m going to give it absolutely everything I can.’
IN THE OLD ROUTINE…Kasper Schmeichel at Lennoxtown.
“It would probably be oe of the greatest feats of my career if I could ever get back from an injury like this and I’m going to fight, do everything I can do, do the rehab.
“But right now, the first surgery is next Friday and then the big one will be whenever the surgeons say.”
Schmeichel added: “I’m going to try. We’ve all played with injuries – I had three screws in my knee at 16 and I’ve played more than 900 games with it.
“I’ve come through the old school whereby you play through injuries.
“I felt in a game about six weeks ago when I dislocated it and like an idiot, I was just thinking about these World Cup play-offs for Denmark, I’ve got to get there.
“So, I took the injections, took the pills to numb the pain and tried to get through it.
“The consultant’s words were: ‘Are you alright in the head?’
“Football means everything to me. It’s been my whole life, it’s been my whole identity so there’s a lot of things right now to try and wrap my head around, but emotions are all over the shop at the moment.
“But I’m trying to keep my mind busy.”
“I could’ve potentially played my last football game.”
Our guest reporter Kasper Schmeichel reveals that he has dislocated his shoulder, and torn his bicep, rotator cuff and labrum.
The Dane opens up about requiring two surgeries that will keep him out for 10 to 12 months. pic.twitter.com/75fskUSAd2
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 17, 2026
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