From Title Hero to Target of the Boo Boys — Schmeichel Under Fire as O’Neill Demands a Celtic Response
At the height of his powers, Schmeichel was widely regarded as one of the standout goalkeepers of his era. A cornerstone of Leicester City’s extraordinary Premier League title win in 2016, the Danish international carved out a legacy that places him firmly among the competition’s modern greats. With 120 caps for Denmark, the captain’s armband, and countless defining moments across club and country, his career résumé speaks for itself.
Time, however, spares no one. Now 39, Schmeichel is no longer operating at the level that once made him elite. This season, by the standards he set for himself, there have been worrying signs that the sharpness and reliability of old are fading.
Brought in to succeed fan favorite Joe Hart, Schmeichel was presented as a clear upgrade comfortable with the ball at his feet and capable of producing game-changing saves. Initially, that promise was delivered both domestically and in Europe, before a shoulder injury sustained on international duty last April halted his momentum.
During his absence, Viljami Sinisalo stepped in and impressed. Yet Schmeichel was reinstated for the Scottish Cup Final as Celtic chased a historic clean sweep of trophies. That decision backfired spectacularly, as a costly error handed Aberdeen a famous Hampden victory and, judging by subsequent performances, the Dane never truly regained his footing.
Errors have since crept into his game, notably against Motherwell and again versus Rangers. In the derby defeat, frustration spilled over, with some supporters booing Schmeichel every time he touched the ball after a routine effort made it 3–1. It was a rare and jarring sight in the modern game: a home crowd audibly turning on one of its own.
Martin O’Neill has acknowledged the drop in form but has resisted any rush to discard his most experienced dressing-room voice. While continuing to monitor Sinisalo’s development, the interim boss has made it clear that Schmeichel must respond.
Speaking candidly, O’Neill said he was impressed by the young Finnish keeper’s attitude, though his own exposure to Sinisalo remains limited. As for Schmeichel, the message was unmistakable: experience alone guarantees nothing.
O’Neill stressed that reputations do not carry players through difficult periods, insisting that every individual regardless of status must continue to earn their place. He pointed to the big moments Schmeichel has delivered under his watch, from crucial stops against Rangers to vital saves in Europe, as reminders of what the goalkeeper is still capable of producing.
The aim, O’Neill explained, is not reinvention but rediscovery returning Schmeichel to the level he previously showed in a Celtic shirt.
That task has not been helped by a defence in constant flux, nor by an approach that has at times encouraged risky distribution from the back. Still, O’Neill was firm in his belief that an experienced goalkeeper must adapt to any system and take ownership of his performances.
Drawing on his own privileged experiences of working alongside legendary keepers, O’Neill spoke warmly of Schmeichel’s pedigree, insisting that his quality remains beyond question.
As Celtic prepare to face Dundee United, the Irishman is expected to simplify matters tactically, reverting to a more traditional back four a setup that previously delivered seven wins from eight during his earlier interim spell. Whether that return to basics can help steady Schmeichel and ease the growing tension between player and supporters now remains to be seen.
