Kasper Schmeichel still good, but on a decline say former Man Utd defender

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The Celtic Star

·16 Januari 2025

Kasper Schmeichel still good, but on a decline say former Man Utd defender

‘Kasper Schmeichel is still good, but he is on a decline’ reckons former Manchester United defender Paul Parker…

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)

Mads Hermansen and Filip Jorgensen both contenders

Paul Parker, who shared his thoughts on Kasper Schmeichel, Mads Hermansen and Filip Jorgensen and the pecking order of the three goalkeepers on Denmark´s national team in an interview with SpilXperten.

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And the former Manchester United defender reckons that Kasper Schmeichel is going to struggle to retain the Denmark keeper’s jersey for the World Cup campaign amid stiff competition from two younger Danish keepers currently impressing in the Premier League.

Kasper Schmeichel with the Premier Sports Cup after Celtic’s victory over theRangers at Hampden on 15 December 2024. Photo Kenny Ramsay

Schmeichel has concede three goals three times in the past month, starting in the Premier Sports League Cup Final win over theRangers, then at Ibrox at the start of 2025 and most recently on Tuesday night against Dundee at Dens Park.

To be fair to Kasper much of that has to down with the defending rather than the goalkeeping however the Hagi goal at Ibrox was certainly one you would have expected a Celtic goalkeeper to save.

“Schmeichel has been a world-class goalkeeper for many years, and I’ve been impressed by him at Celtic,” Parker said. “It may be that he’s not challenged as much, but that can also make it harder to stay mentally prepared when you finally have to step up,

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Celtic v RB Leipzig, UEFA Champions League, Group Stage, Celtic Park on – 5th November 2024. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

“For me, he’s still a really good goalkeeper, but we can’t ignore the fact that he’s on the decline, which is naturally connected to his age. That’s why I think it’s time to replace him on the Danish national team.

“The question is whether he can accept being on the bench, because it could feel very harsh to just leave him out of the squad. In my opinion, the national coach should have a conversation with him and explain that he still believes Schmeichel can contribute on the training ground and in the locker room, but that he will no longer be the first choice.

Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic FC in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Then Schmeichel can decide if it’s a role he wants to take on. In any case, I believe both Jorgensen and Hermansen should be ahead of him in the pecking order.”

Parker went on to give his assessment on Kasper’s two main rivals for the Denmark jersey.

Mads Hermansen should be the first choice for Denmark

Leicester City goalkeeper Mads Hermansen rolls the ball out during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Leicester City FC at St James’ Park on December 14, 2024. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“I’ve already said it: he’s really good. He has the complete package, and I think he’s Denmark’s best goalkeeper. I acknowledge that Schmeichel has performed exceptionally well at Celtic, but we also need to think about the future.

“I actually expected the new national coach to make the generational change at the goalkeeper position already, but it seems like Schmeichel just keeps playing.”

Filip Jorgensen has impressed as well

Filip Jorgensen of Chelsea speaks to referee John Brooks following a foul on Liam Delap of Ipswich Town which then leads to a penalty during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Chelsea FC at Portman Road on December 30, 2024. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“It’s an interesting goalkeeper duel on the Danish national team, and I know many of the Danish goalkeepers very well because they’ve played or are playing in the Premier League.

“Filip Jorgensen has impressed me at Chelsea, and I think he’s significantly better than Robert Sanchez. He’s really good with his feet, and he’s made some magnificent saves. A fantastic goalkeeper, but he still needs to adapt to the Premier League.

“If I were the coach, he would be my first choice at Chelsea. No doubt about it. It’s also connected to the fact that Sanchez has had his share of challenges in my view. It’ll be exciting to follow, but I expect Jorgensen to replace Sanchez this season.”

Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic acknowledges the fans after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Borussia Dortmund and Celtic FC at BVB Stadion Dortmund on October 01, 2024. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

If Kasper does lose his first choice status for the Denmark national team that could have implications for Celtic. Our Great Dane has signed a one year contract and is set to talk to Celtic to see of the club wish to trigger the second year option in his deal. Schmeichel has targeted the next World Cup as a major goal for the remaining time he has in the game and presumably would hang up his gloves after that.

However if Denmark do make a change with both Mads Hermansen and Filip Jorgensen making strong cases with their own performances for Leicester City and Chelsea respectively then that could impact on whether Kasper plays on follows Joe Hart’s lead and calls it a day after collecting more winners medals at Celtic.