Ex Aston Villa star sends direct message to Celtic's signing targets as speculation grows over key position
The Finnish international has been reflecting on an ‘emotional avalanche’ of a season at Parkhead
Viljami Sinisalo is determined to beat off fresh competition in the goalkeeping department and remain as Celtic’s No.1 heading into next season as speculation continues to grow over the position.
The Finland international, who is gearing up for friendlies against Germany in Mainz and Hungary in Budapest later this week, took over from long-serving Kasper Schmeichel between the sticks earlier this season and established himself as the Hoops’ first-choice shot-stopper under interim boss Martin O’Neill.
Uncertainty surrounds the position this summer following the recent news of Schmeichel’s decision to announce his retirement owing to injury. As a result, the Scottish champions have been strongly linked with moves of Preston North End shot-stopper Daniel Iversen, Go Ahead Eagles’ Jari De Busser and Austrian Nikolas Polster.
But 24-year-old former Aston Villa keeper Sinisalo appears unfazed by the possibility of new blood and is determined to keep the gloves heading into the new campaign.
Addressing the challenge that awaits him next season, Sinisalo stated: “I’ve never been content to just watch others play. Getting the jersey for me was a huge opportunity. And when you play for Celtic, you have to perform well if you want to keep your place.
“When you’re at a big club, eyes are on you all the time and you’re only as good as your last game. So I am going into the new season with a positive mindset. I want to keep the Celtic shirt and try to be part of something successful again.
“That’s what I’ve always wanted to do and hopefully I can do that at Celtic for a long time. Winning the double was a great highlight for me. Crazy things happened during the season, and then in the last few weeks we managed to win two trophies! It was definitely a season that will be remembered in the club’s history.
“For me, it was an amazing experience. There were many moments in the final week that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Those moments, those medals and those emotional avalanches that you experience in the game, no one will take them away.”
Will Sinisalo remain as Celtic’s No.1?
Sinisalo’s bullish comments indicate he isn’t concerned about facing new battle for the No.1 spot this summer. They reflect a player who is aware that having fierce competition for place is part of being at a club like Celtic.
It’s clear Sinisalo believes he has earned the opportunity to start the new season as first-choice, having waited patiently over two seasons to earn his big breakthrough in Glasgow’s east end. He performed admirably in high-pressured games and helped O’Neill side over the winning line in the Premiership title race and in lifting the Scottish Cup last month.
It remains to be seen who Sinisalo will find himself in direct competition with for the No.1 jersey, with Ross Doohan expected to remain as third-choice.
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