Schmeichel’s key role in Celtic’s Champions League campaign – Neil Lennon | OneFootball

In the pre-match discussions in the Sky Sports studio, Eilidh Barbour brought up the subject of Celtic’s phenomenal clean sheet record this term at home…

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel applauds the fans after the full-time whistle. Final score Celtic 3 Dundee United 0. Celtic v Dundee United, Premiership, Celtic Park, 15 February 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Since our 2-2 draw with Jimmy Thelin’s side back in October, until last night again, the Hoops hadn’t conceded a single goal against any opposition at home in the Scottish Premiership.

A remarkable feat

It’s quite a remarkable feat and is evidence of the stability that now exists within the Celtic backline on a regular basis. Auston Trusty has stepped in and forged a strong foundation with his countryman, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and it has been reinforced one behind in the form of Kasper Schmeichel. The Great Dane has been essential for us these past two seasons and is a big character in this Celtic team.

Neil Lennon pointed to Schmeichel before last night’s game with the Dons and revealed that it’s largely down to Kasper why Celtic fared so well in the Champions League this season.

UEFA Champions League 2024 2025, Celtic Glasgow vs Young Boys Bern YB Celtic Park. Kasper Schmeichel cheers Celtic’s 1- 0 victory. Photo JOERAN STEINSIEK (IMAGO)

“He’s got a presence about him. He’s a brilliant shot-stopper”

“Yeah, I think he was a big component in Celtic doing so well in the Champions League this season. I always maintain that if you’ve got a really good goalkeeper between the sticks, then it can really encourage you going forward in the Champions League.

“He’s got a presence about him. He’s a brilliant shot-stopper. That’s symbolic of the Schmeichels – that sort of star that he does. And I also think he get’s in the heads of other players.

“Again in Munich last week, I thought he had a couple of magnificent saves. I do think he’s been a fantastic signing. And he makes goalkeeping look easy. I think he gives so much confidence to the back four. And he’s just got that personality and charisma that all really good goalkeeper have, and he gives so much confidence to the rest of the team.”

Kasper Schmeichel acknowledges the fans following the Scottishl Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 08, 2025 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Kasper’s anger at conceding against Aberdeen

Schmeichel and his teammates were just minutes away from making history last night. At 4-0 up to a beaten Aberdeen side all Kasper needed to do was keep a clean sheet to make it ten consecutive league matches at Celtic Park without conceding and that would have been the first time in Celtic’s long and unbroken history.

It was not to be and the Great Dane took his own frustration out on the goalpost which received a hard boot. Liam Scales was perhaps lucky he wasn’t on the receiving end of Kasper’s anger at losing his clean sheet run.

Paul Gillespie

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