Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has shed light on the club’s strategy behind signing Finnish goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, as the 23-year-old prepares for his first Scottish Premiership start against Hearts at Parkhead.
Sinisalo, who arrived from Aston Villa last summer, has spent much of the season learning from experienced shot-stopper Kasper Schmeichel. However, with Schmeichel sidelined due to a shoulder injury picked up while on international duty, Rodgers has placed his faith in Sinisalo to step up between the sticks.
“Obviously we’ve signed Vil because he’s got a great future and great potential,” Rodgers told BBC Scotland ahead of the match.
“Of course, he was in to learn off of Kasper and invest in that time in his development. Kasper has played most of the season, but I’ve seen enough of Vil over the course of pre-season and the game he had here [in the cup]. Even though he didn’t have a lot to do, his concentration was good, and now is the chance for him to come in.”
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The Celtic boss acknowledged the unpredictable nature of blooding a new goalkeeper but expressed confidence in Sinisalo’s ability.
“You never know with any player, whether it’s a goalkeeper or outfield player, until they go in. So, I’m really looking forward to seeing him play. He’s shown up really well in training but, of course, playing in front of the stands when they are full is totally different. He’s got a great mentality and is a really good goalkeeper, so it’s a good opportunity for him," he continued.
Rodgers also expanded on the long-term vision for Sinisalo at the club, emphasising the importance of patience and development for young goalkeepers.
“Like I said, you have to invest sometimes when you have a really top-level goalkeeper in front of you, and that was the whole idea with him. Bring him in for a season, let him develop, if he gets some games, great, and then look at what will happen in the second season because it’s so important that goalkeepers play," he explained.
With Schmeichel’s injury absence of an undetermined length, Sinisalo now has the opportunity to prove himself in competitive action.
Rodgers hopes the young keeper, who previously enjoyed a loan spell with Ayr United whilst at Villa, can seize his chance and demonstrate why Celtic moved to bring him to Glasgow.
He went on to say: “Unfortunately, now Kasper is out with a shoulder injury and we are not sure how long it will be. But it’s an opportunity for Vil, and hopefully, he takes it.”
As Celtic push forward in their quest for yet another league tittle, all eyes will be on Sinisalo to see if he can rise to the occasion and make his mark in the Hoops' first team.
