Celtic and Denmark will be without Kasper Schmeichel for the next month or so, as the goalkeeper revealed he needs a 4-6 week break to recover from a lingering shoulder injury.
The 39-year-old has already missed Celtic’s last three games, while Viljami Sinisalo has stepped in, helping the Hoops to a 1-0 away win against Stuttgart. Despite that victory, Celtic exited the Europa League play-off tie with a 4-2 aggregate loss.
Interim boss Martin O’Neill had previously hinted Schmeichel might return for Saturday’s visit of Motherwell, but the setback means he will also miss Denmark’s crucial World Cup play-off ties. Celtic remain five points behind league leaders Hearts with nine games left and just four until the Premiership splits.
Schmeichel ruled out of Denmark’s World Cup push
Denmark face North Macedonia in the semi-final play-off on March 26, with the winner set to face the victor of Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland for a spot at next summer’s World Cup in North America. Schmeichel confirmed he cannot participate.
Speaking to TV 2 Sport, he said:
“Today I called Brian and said that I can’t play the upcoming World Cup matches here in March. It really hurts me, because throughout my career I have done everything to play for the Danish national team. It’s just the biggest thing for me. I’m with the boys all the way, and I know they will give everything to qualify us for the World Cup.”
He added context on the injury:
“A year ago I broke my shoulder against Portugal, but stayed on the field and played on because we didn’t have any more substitutions. It has caused a lot of after-effects, which have been hard to live with – and play with. But the last few months things have taken a bad turn with my shoulder, and it has really caused problems for me.”
The Europa League match against Stuttgart worsened matters:
“Then when we played the Europa League against Stuttgart a couple of weeks ago, I landed on the wrong shoulder for their first goal and smashed something again. I have done everything I could to get ready ever since. I have had various treatments, injections and blockades, and unfortunately it has not made it better. On the contrary, a nerve was hit during an injection, and I also became ill from that.”
Protecting his body for Celtic and the future
Schmeichel stressed the importance of taking a break to safeguard his career:
“Now I have to protect my body. I have been told by the specialists that the only thing that will help my shoulder is a 4-6 week break. There will be matches after this, and there will be a new season, and I also have to think about that. It is no longer possible. I have to admit that my shoulder is not okay. I will not be able to perform at my best and am forced to cancel. I hope with all my heart that the boys will now play us at the World Cup.”
Celtic will now rely on Sinisalo for upcoming fixtures, including a pivotal Premiership clash against Motherwell and the Scottish Cup semi-final. Meanwhile, Denmark must face the play-offs without one of their most experienced international goalkeepers.