Thomas Gravesen backs Kasper Schmeichel as Denmark’s first pick keeper

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The Celtic Star

·26 March 2025

Thomas Gravesen backs Kasper Schmeichel as Denmark’s first pick keeper

Ex-Celtic midfielder Thomas Gravesen has voiced his support for fellow Dane Kasper Schmeichel, backing him to remain Denmark’s first-choice goalkeeper for the foreseeable future…

UEFA Nations League: Portugal – Denmark. Referee Slavko Vincic looks at Denmark’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who is in pain in the shoulder during the UEFA Nations League playoff match in League A at JosÃ Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo: Bo Amstrup Ritzau Scanpix)

Kasper Schmeichel picked up an injury while representing Denmark in their Nations League exit, following an extra-time loss to Portugal in Lisbon.

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Even though the 38-year-old continued making saves with a shoulder injury, he has faced criticism in his homeland for conceding some of the five Portuguese goals.

Gravesen backs Schmeichel as Denmark’s No.1

However, former Real Madrid midfielder Gravesen – who had a stint at Celtic before retiring after his release in 2008 – has thrown his support behind Schmeichel to keep pushing forward.

Thomas Gravesen of Celtic tangles with Kaka of AC Milan during the UEFA Champions League Round 16 first leg match between Celtic and AC Milan at Celtic Park on 20 February, 2007 in Glasgow. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

He said: “Kasper Schmeichel is having a great season for Celtic and has kept a record amount of clean sheets. I keep hearing that he’s too old now but who would replace him?” Gravesen said as reported by The Herald.

“Kasper will be our goalkeeper for a number of years yet”

“We have Mads Hermansen who is the goalkeeper of Leicester City – the worst team in the Premier League. And we have Filip Jorgensen who is on the bench for Chelsea every week. Kasper will be our goalkeeper for a number of years yet.”

Gravesen has also warned Denmark to be cautious of Greece in their World Cup group, having seen them dismantle Scotland at Hampden Park on Sunday evening.

Konstantinos Koulierakis, Christos Tzolis, Dimitris Pelkas and Christos Zafeiris of Greece celebrate victory following the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A/B Play-offs Second Leg match between Scotland and Greece at Hampden Park on March 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Gravesen said: “I watched Greece play Scotland in the Nations League games and of course both are in our World Cup group. Greece completely overpowered the Scots, so we must expect that the toughest opponent in our group will be the Greeks.”

Denmark kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign against Steve Clarke’s Scotland at the Parken Stadium in September where Schmeichel will likely face some familiar faces from Scottish football.

Michael Carrick of Manchester United battles with Thomas Gravesen of Celtic (L) during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester United and Celtic at Old Trafford on September 13, 2006. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Scotland and the definition of madness

Sadly Gravesen looks to have assessed Scotland’s World Cup group fairly accurately with Steve Clarke’s side sadly looking like they’re there simply to make up the numbers against two better teams in Denmark and Greece, who have clearly benefited from giving youth a chance.

What was that definition of madness again?

Conor Spence

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