Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel hasn’t enjoyed a good run at Celtic Park this season. The drop in his performances for Martin O’Neill’s side has raised doubts over his role with Denmark.
The 39-year-old joined Celtic on a free transfer in July 2024, after a season at Anderlecht.
Last season, he starred for Celtic under Brendan Rodgers’ orders. The stopper kept 24 clean sheets and conceded 47 goals from 49 matches in all competitions for the Bhoys and won the title and the Scottish League Cup.
Celtic’s season hasn’t been successful so far. Rodgers left in October and O’Neill took charge as the interim boss. He returned in January following Wilfried Nancy’s exit, a month after his arrival.
The club have seen several players’ form drop, including Schmeichel. He has 14 clean sheets and has conceded 49 goals [two more than last season] from 39 matches this season.
In the Scottish Premiership alone, his form dropped when compared to last season and these statistics highlight the drop. The first number is from last season, followed by for this season, per game.
- Shots on target: 94 – 86
- Shots saved: 73 – 64
- Save percentage: 78.7% – 74.4%
- Goals conceded per 90: 0.6 – 1
- Clean sheet percentage: 59.4% – 46.2%
- Accurate passes: 1006 – 835
- Accurate long ball percentage: 74.1% – 59.9%
The Denmark international’s recent performances for Celtic have been a regular subject of debate in his country.
Debate around Celtic player’s place
Last month, Sport Witness covered the Danish slant that national team manager Brian Riemer doesn’t dare to drop the stopper.
He has been the No.1 for Denmark for several years, playing 120 matches and has missed only three matches since November 2020. Both Chelsea’s Filip Jørgensen and West Ham United’s Mads Hermansen have been his backups in recent years.
Friday’s edition of Ekstra Bladet asked former Denmark goalkeeper Stephan Andersen who should start for the World Cup qualifier against North Macedonia later this month.
“Yes, who will he select? Can I ask the audience or call a friend? There are several aspects to this, and the goalkeeper position is a bit special, to be completely honest. I think we have to be careful about bringing in new players, even though only one of the three who were selected last is actually playing right now,” he said.
“So that’s a good question. I don’t think he’s making that much of a difference in terms of who he selects. It’s probably more about who’s going to play.
“My assessment is that we’ve reached a point in the national team where you have to look into a generational change. Whether it’s Filip or Mads, time will tell.
“Logically, from a national coach’s point of view, it’s clear that if you’re going to make a generational change and take someone who plays, it’s Mads who should play. I don’t know if I’m leaning towards Mads or Filip. But you might get the most out of someone who plays for West Ham.”
Major decision for Schmeichel
The Celtic stopper turned 39 years of age in November. Logically, he’s coming towards the end of his career, both in Glasgow and the national team.
Should Denmark fail to qualify for the World Cup, a decision has to be made over the No.1 spot in the long run. If they do, Schmeichel could end his international career after the summer tournament.
At Celtic, his contract expires in June. In December, he said a decision on his future will be made in February or March, but that hasn’t been done yet. That could be a sign the Dane’s future beyond this season may be away from O’Neill’s side.
