KASPER SCHMEICHEL is Celtic’s No.1 problem for Martin O’Neill to solve in this month’s transfer window.
That’s the verdict of former goal hero Chris Sutton who is far from impressed with the efforts of the legendary Danish international keeper this season.
The media pundit reckons Schmeichel is “slightly heavy” and the time is right for the champions to bring in a replacement for the 39-year-old shotstopper who is out of contract at the end of the current campaign.
Schmeichel has been on the receiving end of some sharp criticism in recent weeks with his wayward distribution one of the worrying features of his play.
A sloppy pass to Arne Engels was seized upon by Motherwell when Elliot Watt netted the second and killer goal in his side’s 2-0 win at Fir Park just before the turn of the year.
THAT SINKING FEELING…Kasper Schmeichel looks back in anguish as his blunder allows Motherwell to seal their 2-0 win over the champions at Fir Park last week.
And it got even more calamitous at the weekend when the netminder completely misjudged a low shot from Mikey Moore that somehow escaped his right hand. Schmeichel attempted to scoop the ball away, got his timing all wrong and the Ibrox side celebrated the third goal that knocked the last bit of oomph out of the bewildered Celtic players.
Wilfried Nancy was dismissed in the aftermath of an unacceptable 3-1 defeat – his sixth loss in eight games – and O’Neill answered his second SOS of the season to agree a deal which will take him through until the end of the crusade, at least.
As the Irishman prepares for Saturday’s visit of Dundee United, Sutton urged for the caretaker gaffer to ditch the veteran last line of defence and explore the transfer market for an immediate replacement.
The one-time England international striker, speaking in the Warm-Up podcast, said: “I think a must is a new goalkeeper.
OOPS…Kasper Schmeichel misjudges Mikey Moore’s low shot for the Ibrox side’s third goal in the 3-1 win at Parkhead on Saturday.
“Kasper Schmeichel has had an unbelievable career, an incredible career, and he has been an outstanding goalkeeper.
“But this season he just hasn’t been the same.
“He looks big, he looks slightly heavy, and he is a problem for Celtic.”
Viljami Sinisalo has been groomed as Schmeichel’s successor, but the Finnish international was far from impressive in a rare first-team outing in the Hoops’ 4-2 triumph over Livingston last month.
Ross Doohan, who arrived on a free transfer from Aberdeen in the summer, has yet to make an appearance in the top side.
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