Martin O’Neill’s disappointment at Kasper Schmeichel’s injury news

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·21 Maret 2026

Martin O’Neill’s disappointment at Kasper Schmeichel’s injury news

Martin O’Neill has expressed his disappointment after learning the full extent of Kasper Schmeichel’s devastating injury, which could sideline him for up to a year…

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

The Denmark international revealed during an appearance on CBS Sports Golazo that he faces a lengthy spell out of action, with concerns the shoulder problem could even threaten his career.

Video OneFootball

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)

Schmeichel sustained a dislocated shoulder along with a torn bicep and is expected to undergo two separate surgical procedures before making any return to football.

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It is understood the 39-year-old had been managing the issue with painkilling injections in order to continue playing. However, further medical examinations confirmed the seriousness of the damage, leaving surgery as the only viable option.

Martin O’Neill with Kasper Schmeichel. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

O’Neill admitted the update came as a shock, both in terms of its severity and the manner in which it was revealed publicly.

Speaking via Celtic’s official YouTube channel, O’Neill said: “I was surprised by the severity of it.I must admit I didn’t realise how bad it was. I was disappointed to hear the news. No, I didn’t think Kasper was going to announce it. I think his dad was telling him, ‘You must announce it’. I’m joking.”

“I think Tim, our physio, was aware that the scan had shown up much worse than we thought. I wasn’t expecting to hear that.”

Martin O’Neill, Media Conference at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3. Scottish Premiership. Sunday 15 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The Celtic manager also joked about the unconventional nature of Schmeichel’s announcement, suggesting it might have breached old-school dressing room protocols.

“Well, if that was the first announcement, obviously I would have preferred to have heard it myself,” the Celtic boss outlined. “Way back in my time, if you didn’t report it first of all to the football club, you could actually get a fine. So I need to actually go and check to see how his contract is. A really good point. We could do with some of that money.”

Continuing in a light-hearted tone, O’Neill quipped that he may yet raise the issue with the goalkeeper directly.

“Absolutely. That will be a double blow for him, career finished and a fine. Thanks for reminding me.”

Despite the surprise, O’Neill clarified that the club had been kept informed of Schmeichel’s medical situation throughout.

Kasper Schmeichel at fault for at least two of the Stuttgart goals in the 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)

“The club knew, the club were aware of the tests that he was doing,” he said. “It happened rather quickly. Believe it or not, sometimes I can be incommunicado, I can be somewhere and not actually wanting to hear some news or other.”

Meanwhile, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has criticised Schmeichel, accusing him of acting selfishly by continuing to play while managing the injury, reportedly in a bid to secure a place with Denmark for key World Cup play-off fixtures. Sutton also took issue with the goalkeeper’s failure to reference Celtic during his televised announcement.

Chris Sutton – St Mirren v theRangers, 24 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

However, O’Neill downplayed the criticism, insisting Sutton is entitled to his view while questioning whether he had full insight into the situation.

“I like Chris, I like Chris a lot, but not that much,” said O’Neill. “He is entitled to his own opinion; it is no serious issue for me. I don’t know whether he was in a position to know if it was all about Denmark. I haven’t spoken to Chris, I will do now. Tell him to mind his own business! No, he’s entitled to his opinion.”

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