VILJAMI SINISALO has assured Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers he’s ready for a long run as Hoops No 1.
The Finn replaced crocked Kasper Schmeichel in the 3-0 win over Hearts.
Viljami Sinisalo made his Celtic league debut against Hearts[/caption]
He’s credited veteran goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods for shaping his development[/caption]
And there’s still no certainty over Kasper Schmeichel’s return date from injury[/caption]
Sinisalo, 23, will keep the gloves for the next few games at least, and said: “You’ve got to have that confidence.
“I’ve always been a confident man. One coach back in the day always said to me ‘Have confidence to the point of arrogance.’
“You can’t be arrogant, but you’ve got to be confident.
“So, I’ll back myself. And however many games that is, I’ve got to back myself, which I will.”
Sinisalo insisted he’s been ready for his big breakthrough all season.
The Finnish international’s only other Celts appearance had been in the Scottish Cup win over Raith Rovers in January which was also a shut-out.
Sinisalo, signed as back-up from Aston Villa last summer, was delighted to have another game without conceding.
He’s assured supporters that he can cope with the pressure of being thrown in at the deep end at such a crucial time of the season.
Sinisalo added: “You’ve got to do that. As a goalkeeper, you’ve got to be ready for your moment.
“That’s why I’ve worked hard every day since I started my professional career and every day since I’ve signed for this football club during the summer.
“Every footballer wants to play and when you get that moment, that chance, you’ve got to take it. Keep ticking the games away and playing well and stuff like that.
“It’s a mental game. Especially for a club like this, it’s mental.
“You’ve got to be switched on at every single moment in the game because things can happen so quickly.”
Sinisalo, who had a spell on loan at Ayr, could now have a massive part to play as the Hoops chase another Treble.
Meanwhile, gaffer Rodgers could discover on Monday how long Schmeichel will sit it out as Celtic home-in on a fourth successive title and chase a world record ninth domestic clean sweep.
There are real doubts that he will be fit for the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone on April 20.
Schmeichel, 38, suffered a shoulder injury in last week’s 5-2 Nations League defeat to Portugal and was heavily criticised in Denmark for his display in Lisbon.
The veteran keeper played on with the shoulder issue he picked up last Sunday and Celts will be anxiously waiting on the results of scans to see if he will be able to return before the end of the campaign.
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