Celtic hero presents case for Martin O'Neill to 'stick by' embattled star vs Hibs despite glaring 'problem'
Hoops first-choice goalkeeper given a vote of confidence by former Celtic man Peter Grant in the wake of conceding four goals to Stuttgart
Peter Grant believes confidence-shot Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel should remain between the sticks during the Premiership title run-in, despite his error-strewn display against Stuttgart.
The under-fire Hoops No.1 was brutally jeered by his own supporters after gifted the Bundesliga outfit two of their four goals during Thursday night’s Europa League play-off first-leg mauling at Parkhead.
The blunders were the latest in a growing list of mistakes 39-year-old Schmeichel has made this season and patience is now starting to wear thing with a significant portion of the club’s fanbase.
Boss Martin O'Neill refused to point the finger at the veteran Danish international, but didn't commit to Schmeichel keeping his place against Hibs this afternoon, with back-up options Viljami Sinisalo and Ross Doohan both pushing hard for a start.
However, Celtic legend Grant believes the English Premier League-winning shot-stopper would still be his preferred candidate to retain the gloves this weekend - even if he is nursing a slight shoulder niggle.
He told the Go Radio Football Show: “Martin's got to pick his best team. And in his best team, Kasper Schmeichel's his best goalkeeper. He has to stick by Kasper Schmeichel. 100 per cent. If he's your best goalkeeper, you have to keep him in goals.
“Does he have an injury problem? I genuinely think, yes. When he went for that one on Thursday night, he tried to shovel that away. He's got to save that. I think he'll look back on that and say that was a mistake.
“Yes, I think he has got a problem. Maybe I'm 100 per cent wrong. But you can just tell. He's made some brilliant saves at important times for Celtic in games they've gone on to win.
“If he's your number one goalkeeper - and there's no doubt in my mind that he is - he stays in the team.”