VILJAMI SINISALO admits this testing campaign has been a steep learning curve for Celtic.
The champions have had to run the gauntlet on and off the pitch in a season where they have struggled for any degree of consistency.
However, with just six league games to go – starting with St Mirren at Parkhead tomorrow afternoon – the Hoops are three points behind leaders Hearts who will provide the opposition when the curtain comes down on the Premiership on May 15 in the east end of Glasgow.
The team have lost eight league games in this rocky crusade which makes it even more amazing they are still in contention for their fifth successive title.
IN WITH A SHOUT…Viljami Sinisalo encourages his Celtic team-mates.
Long-term injuries to key players such as Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Filipe Jota haven’t helped the cause.
Nor has the chopping changing of managers that saw Brendan Rodgers quit in late October to be replaced in an interim capacity by ex-gaffer Martin O’Neill.
Frenchman Wilfried Nancy was introduced in early December before he was sacked following 33 disastrous days in the dug-out that saw the team beaten in six of his eight matches in charge.
O’Neill has returned to provide a safe pair of hands on the tiller until the end of the season.
It’s been a rollercoaster and Sinisalo, who has played seven games in a row since taking over as No.1 from the crocked Kasper Schmeichel, believes the players will gain from the experience.
The Finnish international netminder said: “The harder times make you a lot stronger as a group.
“One thing a lot of people have said that you probably can’t question is that great desire of the group that I think we’ve shown in abundance this year.
“Whether it’s the late winners or staying in games – it’s what Celtic do. I want to say that we’re in a good place.
DONS DELIGHT…Viljami Sinisalo acknowledges the Celtic fans after the champions’ 2-1 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie last month.
“We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, I’m not going to say we’re going to win every single game. Obviously, we’ll try, but it’s one game at a time.
“That’s what we want to do as a group. You can’t question the mentality of the group or the mentality of the changing room.”
Sinisalo, speaking to the Celtic FC Podcast, added: “I think that’s a real strong point; the spirit, the mentality that we have.
“Hopefully, we’ve come through stronger from everything that we’ve experienced together as a group.
“When times are tough, that’s when you learn the most individually and about other people.
“We’ve definitely had some of those times this year and I’m sure we’ve learnt a lot about ourselves and each other.”
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