MARTIN O’NEILL has a massive decision to make over Kasper Schmeichel as he prepares his Celtic team for the crucial Premiership encounter with Hibs at Parkhead tomorrow afternoon.
The 39-year-old Danish international legend was blamed for two of the VfB Stuttgart goals in the 4-1 Europa League play-off first leg defeat at Parkhead on Thursday night.
Disgracefully, a section of so-called fans booed and jeered the keeper’s every touch following the third goal that, in truth, should have been saved.
There are now fevered calls for O’Neill to ditch the iconic No.1 and bring in Finnish understudy Viljami Sinisalo whose first-team appearances have been sporadic since his £1million arrival from Aston Villa in the summer of 2024.
IT TAKES TWO…Martin O’Neill has a massive decision to make over Kasper Schmeichel.
Chris Sutton is convinced his former Hoops manager will not shirk from making the huge call that could end the netminder’s spell at the champions with Schmeichel out of contract at the end of the season.
Flagging up the importance of getting on track from here until the final whistle near the end of May, the former Celtic goal hero said: “This next spell will define the season and O’Neill has some big calls ahead.
“None more so than over his goalkeeper. I said it a few weeks ago that time was up for Kasper Schmeichel.
“This is not joining in the pile-on, but it’s clear he’s struggling, in terms of his fitness, his agility and now his confidence.
“It’s no disgrace. The end comes to us all, unfortunately.
“I’d still be great in the dressing room now, but having top patter alone doesn’t win points.
“We don’t see Viljami Sinisalo in training like O’Neill does, but he hasn’t done much wrong when he has played.
“You can talk about Schmeichel having experience – but keeping the ball out of the net is more important.”
Sutton, speaking exclusively to the Daily Record, continued: “It’s a big call, but O’Neill has always been ruthless when he’s had to be.
CROSSROADS…Kasper Schmeichel and goalkeeper guru Stevie Woods have a confab before the 2-2 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle last month.
“In terms of goalkeepers, he brought in Javier Sanchez Broto in our time and dropped Rab Douglas and then Magnus Hedman.
“Broto himself was left crying for days when he took too long to sign the contract O’Neill offered and then pulled the plug.
“Even now, he’s hooked players at half-time, he’s bombed others out. Look at Joel Mvuka playing 45 minutes and not being seen since. You see Kelechi Iheanacho coming on the other night ahead of Junior Adamu.
“He won’t shirk the big decisions and he has another over Schmeichel.”
The one-time England international added: “I’m struggling to see how Celtic will finish anything other than third, but there is still a chance with O’Neill at the helm.
“If he delivers the title, will there be wild celebrations rather than protests?
“That’s why the off-the-field stuff has to be put on the backburner to give him even the slightest chance.”
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