Viljami Sinisalo praised by former Celtic keeper Pat Bonner

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The Celtic Star

·4 April 2025

Viljami Sinisalo praised by former Celtic keeper Pat Bonner

Viljami Sinisalo made his bow for Celtic at the weekend as he stepped into the number one role in the absence of Kasper Schmeichel, and filled the void the Danish international left without much fuss…

Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership 29/03/2025. Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo during the match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park, on 29 March 2025. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie/PSI

Comfortable and assured, especially with the ball at his feet, the supporters got a glimpse into what he future might hold without the former Premier League winner.

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Kasper Schmeichel ruled out for around five weeks

The nerves were abundant as we waited with bated breath to find out just how bad the injury Schmeichel sustained was, whilst away on international duty with his country against Portugal last week. As it happened, he had been definitely ruled out for the next five weeks anyway, but it will be played by ear when it is precisely that he will return to the frame, meaning Sinisalo will be between the sticks potentially for our biggest games in the split and Scottish Cup now.

Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership 29/03/2025. Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo during the match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park, on 29 March 2025. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie/PSI

However, he didn’t worry the supporters, nor one Celtic great who has had his fair share of games between the posts for the famous green and white hoops. Pat Bonner watched on like the rest of us all on Saturday afternoon, as Viljami was put under scrutiny early bells from a Hearts team who clearly thought they could repeat the trick which Barry Ferguson had adopted and found joy with at Celtic Park a couple of weeks back.

The Finnish stopper was spright and alert to the danger

The Finnish stopper was spright and alert to the danger and prevented an early Hearts strike which would have surely caused anxiety in the stands, following that awful display in the Glasgow Derby just a few weeks prior. It wasn’t to be though, as our back-up goalkeeper made a decent impression that suggested he has what it takes to replace Kasper Schmeichel one day when he eventually hangs up the gloves.

Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership 29/03/2025. Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo during the match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park, on 29 March 2025. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie/PSI

“It was a big occasion for him and he’s had to wait a long time for it”

Speaking on his fellow goalkeeper, Bonner said: “I thought he did well, he did everything he had to do and he didn’t look out of place. It was a big occasion for him and he’s had to wait a long time for it after coming in last summer. It’s a big opportunity to show himself and for everyone else to see if he’s up to being a Celtic goalkeeper.He’s waited long enough for the opportunity and has had to make sure he’s ready to come in when called on.

Ibrox would be a proper examination of his temperament and ability

“Now the moment’s arrived and I’d imagine he’ll still have the gloves for the league games coming up against St Johnstone and Kilmarnock. Then there will be the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone. After that? Who knows. But, of course, there’s a big one still to come against (the)Rangers at Ibrox and if he were to play in that then it would be a proper examination of his temperament and ability. For now, though, it’s about building on Saturday’s game,” he said, as reported by Daily Record.

Summer 1990: Pat Bonner (centre) of Ireland with Vatican officials in the Vatican City. Photo Allsport UK /Allsport

The ex-Republic of Ireland number one revealed that the pressure was on to come in from the cold and perform straight away, particularly with how well Schmeichel has been for the Bhoys. “He’s come through it with a clean sheet, he’s made a big save at an important time at 0-0 and I also thought he looked comfortable with the ball,” he continued. “There’s been no glaring errors and I thought he handled the occasion well.

‘There was a lot of attention on him’

“There was a lot of attention on him, not just the 59,000 fans inside the ground, but from everywhere else. Schmeichel’s played virtually every game but now Sinisalo’s got the jersey and so everyone’s interested to see how he does. The important thing now is that he builds on it. Schmeichel, of course, is first choice and will be back in time.But for Sinisalo it’s a big, big opportunity to show his qualities and that should be exciting for him.”

1989: Pat Bonner (centre) of Celtic celebrates with his team mates after the Scottish Cup Final match against Rangers at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic won the match 1-0. Photo Allsport UK /Allsport

“It’s what he wanted when he signed for Celtic”

Bonner added: “It’s what he wanted when he signed for Celtic. It’s an advantage for him that there’s not massive pressure just now. Celtic have the league effectively wrapped up, they’re on a countdown to officially clinching the title. There’s a Treble on and that’s maybe where the only pressure comes. Most people are expecting Celtic to clinch that but the fact of the matter is you still have to do it

Paul Gillespie

Conor Spence from The Celtic Star will be speaking to Viljami Sinisalo this morning as the Celtic goalkeeper gets to meet the Celtic Fan Media. More on that to follow today. Meanwhile Sinisalo spoke to Celtic TV yesterday afternoon. Watch that now…

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