As Joe Hart prepares to retire, Celtic, the dominant team in the SPFL, may be able to recruit former Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Prior to the forthcoming season, the Scottish Giants are reportedly eager to add the seasoned Premier League winner to their roster.
Schmeichel could return to the UK since his surprise exit from Leicester
Kasper Schmeichel, a former goalkeeper for Leicester City, would provide Celtic with some experience between the posts as Brendan Rogers tries to replace Joe Hart, who retired this summer at the age of 37.
Pete O’Rourke of X broke the news, saying that Celtic are in “advanced talks” for the Dane to sign for them on a free transfer.
Brendan Rodgers may have had a part to play in the deal
Brendan Rodgers would be reunited with the goalkeeper who led his Leicester club to FA Cup triumph in 2021 upon moving to the Scottish champions.
In 2022, Rodgers was also the team’s manager when Kasper Schmeichel unexpectedly left the team. For a small sum, the Foxes goalkeeper was traded to OCG Nice of Ligue 1, and Schmeichel subsequently said, “I never wanted to leave Leicester.” (The Daily Mail)
Later in the season, Leicester City was relegated, and Rodgers lost his job as a result of the team’s poor performance.
Schmeichel would bring plenty of experience
A bonus factor of signing Schmeichel would be the vast experience he could bring to the Celtic dressing room. Although the 37-year-old is the son of the great Peter Schmeichel, Kasper has forged his own name in the sport’s history, being a huge part of the title-winning Leicester City team that broke all odds in 2015/16.
He has also had spells at Notts County, Leeds United, Coventry City, Manchester City, Nice and Falkirk amongst others.
The veteran goalkeeper also has plenty of life experience to offer after experiencing the traumatic incidents of Leicester owner, Vichai Srivaddhanapabh, who lost his life in a helicopter crash after a game Schmeichel played in, as well as being on the field when Christian Eriksen had a cardiac arrest in EURO 2020.
Schmeichel would join fellow countryman and Celtic’s star player, Matt O’Riley, should the 37-year-old finalise his deal to move to Glasgow.
