For some managers, life in football presents a series of increasingly challenging decisions. Fortunately, for the sanity of most, some decisions are far more straightforward and simple, posing no real difficulty. There are choices so obvious that it would be absurd not to make them.
For Brendan Rodgers right now, almost all the decisions he’s faced with are good ones. Nearly every option he considers has positive connotations. But one subject of debate—a debate that really shouldn’t exist—is the question as to whether or not to exercise the club’s one-year contract extension for goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Frankly, it’s a no-brainer. It’s the easiest decision he’ll have to make at Celtic.
When we signed Schmeichel, most of us thought he’d be a solid but unspectacular addition, a player who would fill a gap but wouldn’t set pulses racing. Goalkeepers generally don’t set pulses racing; you’re not supposed to notice them until they make a mistake. And when they do, the judgment is brutal and unforgiving, unlike the leniency often shown to outfield players. A mistake by a goalkeeper is rarely forgotten, as there are few opportunities to make amends during a game.
At a club like Celtic, a goalkeeper might only be called upon once or twice in a match, but on those occasions, he must be perfect. So far, Schmeichel has been almost flawless. This isn’t a solid but unspectacular signing; it’s a spectacular one.
The steady creep of stats into football has allowed us to properly judge a player like Schmeichel and make comparisons between him and others in the league and beyond. Last season, when the media hyped Jack Butland with talk of England call-ups and £30 million transfer fees, it emerged that he was, at best, a middling performer in the simple art of stopping the ball.
When judged on saves made from shots directly at him, his stats were surprisingly average compared to others in Scotland’s top flight.
I haven’t seen the latest figures for this season, but their defence continues to leak more goals than expected, while ours concedes fewer than anticipated. Schmeichel is clearly doing something right. Over the weekend against Hibs, he faced nine shots on target and saved them all.
I don’t know what that does to the averages, but it must be impressive. Nine saves in a single game could account for the workload of three or four matches for a Celtic keeper. Considering how few goals we’ve conceded this season, his record must be astonishing. I would wager it’s the best in the league, likely by a significant margin.
Of course, it’s not just about the saves. Some people think that’s all a goalkeeper does, but there’s so much more to it. A goalkeeper organises the defence, commands the penalty area, and inspires confidence. A calm, assured, and commanding presence like Schmeichel’s can make an entire back line feel secure. Even when an opposing forward has beaten the last defender, you still feel confident knowing he has to beat the big man in goal.
That’s why this decision is probably one of the easiest of Rodgers’ career. Any doubts about Schmeichel might have stemmed from his age, given that he’s older than Joe Hart and we’ve seen Hart lose something from his game. But Schmeichel looks 10 years younger than he is. He plays with energy, hunger, and a passion for the game. It’s clear he understands Celtic and relishes every moment playing for this club.
For all these reasons, it’s almost certain we’ll trigger the one-year contract extension. Schmeichel will likely be between the sticks next season, as he’s been one of the stars of this campaign. If his contributions are only noticed on days like Saturday, that’s a tribute to how well the rest of the team plays. And the big man wouldn’t mind that one bit.
All I know is that he delivers consistently when called upon, and that’s the hallmark of a top-class goalkeeper. For 89 minutes, he might have nothing to do, but in that crucial moment, he proves his worth.
At the weekend, Schmeichel answered any of our remaining question emphatically. It’s not the first time this season he’s produced when it counts.
Sign him back up, boss.
Our second podcast is up and live now folks; we’re calling this one The Team Effort, in recognition of what makes this Celtic side particularly good.
Kasper’s def brought a big sense of security at the back for us. Great with the ball at his feet as well. If he wants tae stay thats great news for us and give him an extention.
When he eventually finishes his playing career, hopefully in a few years time, we should try to keep him on in some capacity.
The guy is a huge asset for Celtic.
Wonder how long Gannon at the record has been holding onto the story entitled “Toe-curling Celtic fan chant lucky not to cop a UEFA fine for sheer embarrassment but away record is no laughing matter”
Put out when the Klan get their unrivaled song book out the day before and much criticism.
Squirrel !!!!
He tries to play it a little funny but the song is pretty much the Celtic fans having a laugh with themselves, how this is perceived as offensive beats me. He then tries to make a Euro story of it, Yawn!!!
Paid to shovel out any old shoite!
Only by The Half-Wits that pay his wages JimBhoy !