Time to take Kasper Schmeichel out of the firing line

Recently I wrote about how I firmly believe that Kasper Schmeichel is the number one choice under Brendan Rodgers, and I still believe that to be the case, but I think it’s time the Dane was taken out of the firing line for a game or two after yet another unconvincing display in last night’s dreadfully disappointing  defeat by Sporting Braga at Celtic Park.

Kasper was undoubtedly to blame for the opening goal, whilst his distribution was shockingly poor the entire night in yet another under par performance by both the goalkeeper and indeed the entire side barring Sebastian Tounekti, who spoke to The Celtic Star alongside Callum McGregor after the 2-0 defeat.

The veteran Celtic keeper’s poor showing  wasn’t overlooked by the increasingly impatient Celtic support who loudly let the Dane know how they felt once or twice during the game.

Ironically it was Kasper’s distribution that was a vocal point in our success last season, but for some reason or another he’s been very poor in that side of his game, and whilst I wouldn’t say it’s the sole root of our problems, it’s effecting the way we play and last night it caused the momentum in the match to switch from Celtic, who had made a decent start to the match, to Sporting Braga.

Viljami Sinisalo has more than proven that he’s ready, and more importantly good enough to deputise for Kasper, so it’s only fair that he’s given that chance for starting on Sunday against Motherwell at Celtic Park. No-one is guaranteed a starting spot at Celtic and if form dips it’s only right that the player involved should drop to the bench, it’s the entire point of competition for places is it not?

I believe it will do Kasper the world of good, but more importantly it will be of great benefit to the team, starting on Sunday.  Then it’s up to Viljami Sinisalo to keep the gloves of Kasper to win them back as the two compete for to be the first name on the Celtic team-sheet.