BRENDAN RODGERS and Kasper Schmeichel look like a marriage made in soccer heaven.
It’s clear the Celtic manager and his latest recruit have an admiration and respect for each other after their time together at Leicester City.
The Irishman and the Dane combined to lift the English FA Cup for the Midlands club in 2021 and they hope to continue the winning formula at Parkhead.
Rodgers and Schmeichel sat side-by-side as they faced the USA media as the Hoops prepared for their second match of the quickfire tour against Manchester City in North Carolina in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
DOUBLE-ACT…Kasper Schmeichel and Brendan Rodgers talk to the media in North Carolina. Image courtesy Celtic TV.
The champions got off to a triumphant start in Washington at the weekend when they overcame DC United 4-0 with a double from Matt O’Riley and singles from wide Bhoys Mikey Johnston and James Forrest.
Asked about his thoughts about bringing in Denmark’s legendary 37-year-old goalkeeper, Rodgers answered: “What we needed after Joe [Hart] leaving was someone at the very highest level who is a competitor and a winner.
“We needed someone who can support and help this young group of players and there’s no-one better than Kasper for that.
“We’re delighted and I’m delighted for him that he is going to get the Celtic experience which is a really incredible experience.
“Celtic are a massive club with a small family inside it. Yeah, I’m delighted he’s here.”
Schmeichel, who penned a one-year deal with a 12-month option, smiled and said: “It feels great. Absolutely buzzing to be here.
DREAM COME TRUE…Kasper Schmeichel can’t wait to start. Image courtesy Sky Sports.
“Once I spoke to the boss then it was exactly what I wanted, it was everything I was looking for.
“Yeah, just happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started.
“I think the biggest challenge is always making sure that you perform and that’s what I’m here to do.
“I’m brought here to do a job and to be the best I can be for the team to help this team keep winning, keep progressing.”
Schmeichel, speaking to Celtic YouTube, added: “It’s a new kind of experience for me in the sense that I’m coming into a team that has a huge history of winning and that hasn’t been something I’ve done too many times in my life.
“In that sense, I’m really looking forward to the challenge of coming into a club that’s used to excellence, that’s used to having the highest of standards and that’s the kind of thing I usually thrive on.
“So, I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”
Schmeichel is on stand-by to make his debut against his former club, Pep Guardiola’s Premier champions, after watching his new team-mates win in the American capital at the weekend.
Match fitness shouldn’t be an issue after the towering netminder played in his nation’s four games in Euro 24 before exiting the competition following a 2-0 loss to hosts Germany 24 days ago.
