Sutton accused ‘selfish’ Schmeichel of using then ignoring Celtic | OneFootball

Chris Sutton has responded to the news that broke last night that Kasper Schmeichel will not play for Celtic again after receiving news from a surgeon that he needs two major operations on his troublesome shoulder…

In an interview on American broadcaster CBS after their Champions League coverage of the Manchester City v Real Madrid match last night, the Celtic goalkeeper, standing alongside his dad Peter Schmeichel, broke the injury news that will end his time at Celtic, where his contract runs out at the end of the season.

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And the former Celtic striker pointed out what many Celtic Supporters have noticed, that Kasper Schmeichel failed to mention Celtic at all in the interview, which is particularly galling given the circumstances where Celtic appear to have bent over backwards to accommodate Schmeichel with many supporters looking back to last season’s Scottish Cup final own goal against Aberdeen that robbed Celtic of a treble.

Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic concedes an own goal leading to the first goal for Aberdeen during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Final match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Hampden Park on May 24, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Many, myself included reckoned that enough was enough concerning playing Kasper Schmeichel again after that day. But on it went with Brendan Rodgers, Martin O’Neill, Wilfried Nancy then Martin O’Neill again all willing to put the Danish international keeper in ahead of Viljami Sinisalo.

The recent match at Rugby Park got me back to where I was after the Scottish Cup final. It was as clear as day that the second Kilmarnock goal was caused because Kasper tried to use his right arm to save a looping header over his left shoulder and didn’t have the reach to do so, thus gifting Killie a second goal.

Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3. Scottish Premiership. Sunday 15 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

We noticed and so did VfB Stuttgart who enjoyed rich pickings with a shoot on sight approach as Schmeichel was badly at fault for two goals. Injured at the interval he re-appeared with Celtic still in the tie but things went from bad worse.

Incredibly he was still in the team for the visit of Hibs to Celtic Park that weekend and another three points were spilled. Something that may yet haunt us in the weeks ahead.

Speaking via Daily Record this afternoon, Chris Sutton has had his say and he too notes that Kasper Schmeichel failed to mention his club last night in his interview on CBS Sports.

“It’s just like Celtic weren’t in the equation with this as such. It just seems to be his desire to play at the World Cup. I may be wrong, but I didn’t hear him mention Celtic once,” Sutton noted.

“There’s clearly been something a bit wrong with him this season. Whether it was age or mobility or whatever it is, it comes to us all. But I don’t necessarily think a player should be putting their own ambitions above the team and the club, that’s selfish. Like it or not.

Kasper Schmeichel breaks his devastating injury news. Image ia CBS Sports

“I like him and admire him, but that’s just selfish behaviour really and it hasn’t served Celtic well this season, has it?

“I suppose Schmeichel will think he’s entitled to get it out there as he sees fit, but it just seemed to me that Celtic were secondary, have been the secondary. I might be wrong and he’ll have to explain it himself, but it seemed to me he’s using Celtic for his own cause and playing when he’s not 100 per cent,” Chris Sutton observed.

“I might be doing him a disservice. It’s up to him to come out and it and explain. The bottom line is that is not going to appease Celtic fans sitting there scratching their heads the same as myself and thinking; ‘Why has he not even mentioned the club who employ him?’

Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, 22 February 2026 Kai Andrews shot beats Callum McGregor and Kasper Schmeichel to provide Hibs with a late winner at Celtic Park. Photo Cameron Allan IMAGO/Sportpix

He’s not been right and he’s sort of using the club playing when he knows he’s not fit to serve his own purpose? Really? It seemed selfish to me, himself over the club. We all naturally look after ourselves, but the team comes first at all times.

“There does come a point when you have to make a decision based on the right decision based on the right reasoning. It seems his reasoning was nothing to do with Celtic. It’s like he was using them as a tool just get the game time for the World Cup.

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)

“That’s the way he came across in that interview, because otherwise, why would he not have mentioned Celtic?

“Well, he never said that, as far as I could see. He didn’t talk about that. He just talked about his injury, not being the same and that hampering him for Denmark.

“Celtic can’t become THAT club, really.”

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

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