'I've been lucky' - Celtic star names World Cup-winning duo as his biggest role models for shaping his career
The Hoops No.1 explains how World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez and Pepe Reina have helped shape his career
Viljami Sinisalo has namedropped the two biggest inspirations that have helped to shape his career as a goalkeeper as the Celtic No.1 gears up for the most important stage of his career to date.
The Finland international credits vastly experienced Monaco shot-stopper and compatriot Lukas Hradecky as his long-time mentor, while Kasper Schmeichel has taught him so much since joining the Scottish champions.
But the 24-year-old has also had the privilege to work alongside some huge names in the goalkeeping world during the early stages of his playing career at Aston Villa. And he has revealed World Cup winners Emiliano Martinez and Pepe Reina are his two main role models, whom he tried to absorb tips from whilst at Villa Park.
“I’ve been really lucky with the goalies I’ve been able to work with,” Sinisalo admitted. “From my Villa days to the Finland national team and Celtic, it’s been great.
“For me, Emi Martinez is one of the best keepers in the world. You learn a lot about the sheer presence that man has and the aura he carries around him. He’s a very confident man, which is something that you definitely need.
“You try to take bits from everyone. Tom Heaton, Pepe Reina, you learn from them all and mould yourself into the goalie you want to be. There’s no set mould for a keeper. You can take bits from them all and I believe that’s the best way to approach it.
“I’ve trained with big names and I’ve been really lucky to work with these guys. If I can have a career similar to theirs, that would be brilliant.
“Coming here to Celtic and having Kasper, I’ve also been very lucky. I’m still trying to mould my game and get better every day. I really enjoy what I do. I love coming in every day and trying to improve. For every session, I walk out of this building trying to be better than I was when I came. We’re in the here and now and I’m trying to get better.”
Sinisalo addresses Celtic’s cup goalkeeper plans
Sinisalo is expected to start between the sticks against St Mirren in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden after facing Auchinleck Talbot, Dundee and Rangers in previous rounds. He’s now established as Martin O’Neill’s first-choice goalkeeper after Schmeichel’s season-ending injury.
It was always anticipated that Sinisalo would start the cup games under previous manager Brendan Rodgers, and while a lot of change has occurred since the start of the campaign, the Finn insists he’s ready to play any game required as he eyes more silverware.
Asked about the cup keeper plans at the start of the season, Sinisalo stated: “We’ve had different managers during the season, so it’s very difficult to answer that. There was definitely a plan of playing more than last season, which started all right in the Premier Sports Cup. Then obviously things happen and plans change, which is completely understandable.
“As a young keeper you’re a little bit unfortunate at that time maybe. But I’ve just tried to keep my head down, and I’ve always known the opportunity would come eventually. I’ve tried to genuinely work as hard as I can to be ready for that opportunity.
“You only get one career and one shot at it. So there’s no point wasting a day, which I haven’t done and will never do. There were plans, but those plans can change when people change. Football is such a weird business, you don’t know what’s happening in a week’s time.
“There are injuries, there are selection decisions, there are things that you can’t control. The only thing you can control is going out on that pitch and trying your best, doing as well as you can and not wasting a chance to impress. So, yeah, it’s worked out all right.
“I pretty much view football as, ‘That’s the next game’. I want to keep improving and being better and trying to showcase to people who I am as a goalie.”
Sinisalo will embrace pressure as Celtic seek league and cup double
Celtic are under pressure on both fronts as they eye a league and cup Double this term. The Scottish Cup would offer them a passage into the Europa League, should they finish outside the top two in the Premiership, and Sinisalo will embrace that expectation as they seek revenge for losing December’s Premier Sports Cup final to the Buddies.
“Pressure is a privilege as the saying goes,” Sinisalo commented. “I want to say I thrive on that. Every footballer wants to be involved in games with big pressure and we’ve got many of them coming up, and already have had.
“To be honest, when you’re in the game you don’t really think about it. That’s always been the approach I’ve taken. Playing football is something I’ve enjoyed since I was six. Why overthink it? It’s what you love doing. I’m trying to showcase what I am as a person and footballer while enjoying it at the same time.”