James McFadden hails smart Celtic summer signing

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The Celtic Star

·9 April 2025

James McFadden hails smart Celtic summer signing

James McFadden has hailed Celtic’s move for Viljami Sinisalo, describing last summer’s goalkeeper addition as a shrewd piece of business…

Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership 29/03/2025. Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo during the match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park, on 29 March 2025. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie/PSI

Having represented Scotland 48 times, the ex-Motherwell, Everton, and Birmingham City midfielder believes Brendan Rodgers made a wise move in the transfer market, considering the Finnish goalkeeper’s current profile.

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“I think it was a smart signing,” James McFadden

Prior to Celtic’s surprising 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone on Sunday, James McFadden shared his thoughts on Sinisalo during the match-day coverage on Sky Sports. He said: “I think it was a smart signing.

“Signing an experienced goalkeeper and a young goalkeeper, that’s not going to come in and get the learning from playing games, but the learning from training and how to work with a top goalkeeper, which he does with Kasper Schmeichel.”

Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership 29/03/2025. Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo during the match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park, on 29 March 2025. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie/PSI

“You need to make sure you are ready for your opportunity. You can’t really prepare for it. He is an international goalkeeper, so it’s not as if it’s some young guy that’s getting thrown in and doesn’t have a lot of experience. It’s a good opportunity for him.”

‘Goalkeeper is a strange position’

McFadden continued: “I think, as well, the goalkeeper is a strange position because, a lot of times, you have got an opportunity, maybe through poor performance or an injury that’s one or two weeks. You come in and you know you are almost keeping for that one game.”

Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership 29/03/2025. Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo during the match at Celtic Park, on 29 March 2025. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie PSI

“If you make a mistake, then it plays on your mind. But he knows he has a bit of time now to just go and focus on performing to his level. It’s a great bonus for Celtic that they have a young goalkeeper that they want to make a long-term investment in, in terms of putting him into the training and getting that experience.”

“These are big games that he is involved in”

“He is getting the experience now in games that Celtic can go and win the league. The Scottish Cup semi-final. It might be the Scottish Cup final as well. These are big games that he is involved in, and it’s great for his development.”

After catching the eye on loan at Exeter City under former Celtic defender Gary Caldwell’s guidance, Sinisalo made the switch to Glasgow from Aston Villa last summer.

Featuring in 50 matches across all competitions, the Finland international – capped three times – earned both the Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player of the Season awards.

Conor Spence

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