Talk about having big boots to fill. Though, fortunately, Celtic have had plenty of practice when it comes to replacing star men.
When Jota departed last summer – a £25 million move to Saudi Arabia making the winger the most expensive export in Celtic’s history – in came Luis Palma. When Josip Juranovic was sold to Union Berlin, The Hoops snapped up Alistair Johnston.
Out went Edsonne Edouard, in came Kyogo Furuhashi. Out went Ryan Christie, in came Matt O’Riley, albeit a few months later.
So while Celtic took their sweet time bringing a new goalkeeper to Parkhead, a fine debut performance from Kasper Schmeichel during the 4-3 friendly win over Manchester City in the USA went some way to helping Brendan Rodgers’ champions move out of the shadow of the recently-retired Joe Hart.
Snapped up on a free transfer after leaving Belgian giants Anderlecht, 37-year-old Schmeichel is back in Britain.
And while the veteran Dane may no longer be the same world-class shot-stopper who helped guide Leicester City to Premier League and FA Cup glory, if he can emulate the similarly experienced Hart, Schmeichel will soon come to represent another outstanding piece of business.
Celtic sign Kasper Schmeichel to replace Joe Hart
“They’ve made good moves in the goalkeeper department,” former Celtic hero Chris Sutton tells the Daily Record, Schmeichel joined by the £1 million acquisition of an ‘outstanding’ Viljami Sinisalo from Aston Villa.
“Both got some game time in the US and did well. Even in just 45 minutes against Manchester City, you could see Schmeichel is still top class with two superb saves to keep out Erling Haaland.
“Sinasalo made a couple of his own in the second period, so that is not position they need to worry about any time soon.”
For Sutton, however, ‘it is a different story’ in a few other positions.
He feels that Celtic are still crying out for additions at left-back, at centre-half, in midfield and also arguably on the wing.
The Glasgow giants are also hoping to agree a deal that would see last season’s loan star Adam Idah return north of the border. HITC understands that Celtic saw an opening bid of £4 million rejected with Norwich City demanding around double that fee.
“We know Adam Idah is the main one he wants back but another one is required,” adds Sutton. “And you’d think it would be a young prospect or even a loan player. You also look at left back, centre half, the midfield and perhaps also out wide.”
Nicholas Kuhn shines in Manchester City win
The good news for Celtic fans is that Rodgers appears to be getting a more melodic tune out of a player who missed his fair share of beats during a difficult first few months on UK soil.
Nicolas Kuhn joined in a £3 million deal from Rapid Vienna in January.
But if his clinical first-half brace against Pep Guardiola’s Man City side on Wednesday is anything to go by, the 2024/25 campaign could be the one in which Kuhn really comes to life in a Celtic shirt.
“Nicolas Kuhn has looked a much more encouraging prospect in pre-season after failing to do it consistently last term,” adds Sutton, the winger combining excellently with Matt O’Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi in North Carolina.
“He would outstanding against Man City, even if he was up against a young full back who struggled with Pep Guardiola’s system.
“Two goals and a superb assist for Kyogo is not to be sniffed at though and he could play a bigger part this year.”
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