This summer, Celtic will finally have a new custodian at Parkhead when Kasper Schmeichel arrives on a free transfer. Joe Hart will be replaced.
Prior to signing a contract to become the Scottish Premiership’s top player, the seasoned Denmark international will have his medical examinations this week.
After three seasons in Glasgow, Hart announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the 2023–2024 season. The former Leicester City star appears to be Hart’s replacement.
He is not, however, the long-term answer in that role because Schmeichel, who turns 38 later this year, is nearly a year older than the former England international. For this reason, it is possible that the Bhoys are considering adding another shot-stopper to their roster.
Celtic closing in on Premier League prospect
According to the Scottish Sun, the Hoops are closing in on a deal to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo to compete with the Danish colossus.
It claims that the 22-year-old prospect is “poised” to finalise a permanent transfer to Parkhead and that the two teams are in negotiations over a fee.
Sinisalo, who played on loan for Exeter during the 2023–2024 season, now has the opportunity to emulate Matt O’Riley’s successful transfer from League One football to the Premiership.
Why Sinisalo could repeat O’Riley’s success
The Danish midfielder had produced seven goals and five assists in 26 outings for MK Dons in the first half of the 2021/22 season before Celtic snapped him in the January window.
He hit the ground running with a return of four goals and three assists in ten Premiership starts in the second half of that term, and has gone on to be a huge player for the club.
O’Riley made a big move from being a League One player to a star for Celtic last season, as seen by his 18 goals and 13 assists in the league and his current reported £25 million value by the Hoops.
Manager Gary Caldwell predicted Sinisalo would have a “incredible” career this year, and now that he’s shown impressive results while on loan at Exeter in the third division of English football, those predictions could come true.
As you can see in the table above, the Finland international performed well in comparison to Hart’s displays for the Scottish giants in the Premiership.
These statistics show that the 6 foot 3 giant was a top performer in League One, with a high save success rate, a strong penalty stopping success rate, and dominant work in his duels.
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