Eagle-eyed Celtic fans spot something that shows Kasper Schmeichel is playing through the pain barrier
Eagle-eyed Celtic fans reckon Kasper Schmeichel could have played with a broken finger in the battling Premier Sports Cup quarter final victory over Falkirk at Parkhead.
Pictures shared on the Denmark international’s Instagram page show two fingers on his left hand strapped together and two fingers of his glove stitched together to offer protection. It suggest Schmeichel has broke or staved his finger.
Schmeichel was applauded by the visiting supporters during the the Celtic players’ lap of the stadium after their 5-2 win with the 37-year-old enjoying a loan spell at the Bairns from Manchester City back in 2007.
The Dane moved to Celtic on a free transfer in the summer after leaving Nice with Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers knowing the shot-stopper well from their time together at Leicester City. One fan posted on X alongside the two photos: “Kasper Schmeichel playing with what appears to be a broken finger. His two fingers strapped up and wearing special gloves. Going the extra mile in the early part of his Celtic career.”
It’s not unheard of for goalkeepers to continue playing with a broken finger and Mexico No. 1 Julio Gonzalez had to do that during this summer’s Copa America tournament.
Like Schmeichel, he had a special four-fingered glove made by his supplier.
Schmeichel’s rival at Rangers Jack Butland was praised in the early days of his career by his then Stoke City boss Mark Hughes for turning out against Norwich City with the injury. Hughes said after a 1-1 draw: “He was close to missing the game because he has broken a finger, so when his fingers are all right, he will be even better, if that is possible.
“He needed to be honest with me with what he was able to produce and whether or not it was going to compromise him. It was just in training, when a ball hit the end of it, and has a bit of a crack and it will get strapped up. He will have to pay with a bit of pain for a couple of weeks, but he will be fine."