Martin O’Neill’s Tomas Cvancara and Kasper Schmeichel update

Originally posted on The Celtic Star | By Conor Spence | Last updated Apr 21, 2026 2:15 AM ET

Martin O’Neill has given an update on both Tomas Cvancara and Kasper Schmeichel after Celtic’s 6-2 victory over St Mirren at the weekend…

The Czech attacker was omitted from squad completely with manager Martin O’Neill confirming before the match that his absence was not due to injury.

Daizen Maeda was instead used in a central role, while Junior Adamu and Kelechi Iheanacho were among the substitutes.

Cvancara – on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach – has featured regularly for the Hoops since January but has managed just two goals and two assists in 13 appearances.

O’Neill has emphasised that competition within the squad remains intense, insisting every player must earn their place, with Cvancara no exception.

The Celtic boss said via PLZ Soccer: “We did a bit of rotating for the semi-final. It wasn’t phenomenal rotating but I felt Junior has trained really, really strongly. So that’s it. Listen, people have to fight for positions in the team.”

O’Neill was also asked about Kasper Schmeichel, who was at the Etihad at the weekend for Man City against Arsenal rather than Hampden to watch his teammates.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the veteran’s future – with his contract set to expire this summer – O’Neill declined to suggest that an early departure was on the cards.

O’Neill added: “He is still contracted to the club, yes. There are some medical decisions to be made on whether he’s to get this operation. I will know more about that in the middle of the week.”

“But I have been speaking to the medical staff who were telling me he was going to see a specialist.”

“He may even have done that by now as that was last midweek. But I don’t know whether the specialist wants to do this operation or not. That was the last news I got but I’ll know more this midweek.”