Mysterious illness keeps Kasper sidelined, Sinisalo keeps gloves at Pittodrie

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The Celtic Star

·4. März 2026

Mysterious illness keeps Kasper sidelined, Sinisalo keeps gloves at Pittodrie

Kasper Schmeichel will sit out Celtic’s Premiership meeting with Aberdeen at Pittodrie tonight due to a mysterious illness, Martin O’Neill has confirmed…

Kasper Schmeichel looks dejected during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

However, the Hoops boss expects the experienced Dane to be fit for Sunday’s crucial Scottish Cup showdown at Ibrox.

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The 39-year-old was absent from last weekend’s dramatic 2-2 draw with theRangers, having previously been named among the substitutes during Celtic’s 1-0 victory over Stuttgart in the return leg of their Europa League play-off. That result sealed a 4-2 aggregate defeat and ended the club’s European campaign.

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel Celtic v Dundee United, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 10 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Schmeichel faced criticism for his performance in the first-leg 4-1 loss in Germany, where some supporters voiced their frustration by booing him. Despite that setback, O’Neill believes the veteran shot-stopper will be ready to reclaim his place when Celtic travel to Ibrox again for the Scottish Cup quarter-final.

In the meantime, the manager acknowledged that the recent run in the side for Viljami Sinisalo has provided the Finland international with a valuable opportunity to stake his claim as first-choice goalkeeper at the Hoops.

Previewing Wednesday’s trip to Aberdeen, O’Neill said via Celtic’s official YouTube channel: “Kasper is still not feeling great and needs time to recover so he won’t be available for tomorrow.”

“In terms of his illness, I’m hoping that the medical team will keep me right and I’m hoping he will be available for then [Sunday].”

Martin O’Neill applauds the Celtic support. theRangers v Celtic. 1st March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

O’Neill added: “It’s an opportunity to see him. He wants to be the number one goalkeeper here for the foreseeable future. I’m not saying he sees himself as that (the number one) but that’s what he wants to be. He has done very well in the games.

“At this minute, he’s taken over from a goalkeeper who has been a terrific goalkeeper throughout his career and one who still wants to do well for the club, himself and at national level to help them qualify for the World Cup.”

Viljami Sinisalo of Celtic FC looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between VfB Stuttgart and Celtic FC at Stuttgart Arena on February 26, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)

Viljami Sinisalo has the gloves and has impressed in both matches so far. He will be in goals this evening and with another decent performance should keep the gloves for Sunday’s trip to Ibrox. Kasper may well be back in contention for a place but may have to settle for a place in the bench.

His own personal needs, first team football as he eyes World Cup qualification with Denmark later this month, is and has to be secondary to Celtic’s needs and Martin O’Neill has a responsibility to the club to play his strongest possible team as we look to compete for both the Scottish Cup and Scottish Premiership.

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order