Yahoo News Kasper Schmeichel linked to Celtic as Brendan Rodgers connection reignites transfer interest
Kasper Schmeichel is being linked with a move to Celtic to reunite with his former Leicester City manager, Brendan Rodgers.
But if the deal does materialise, the Denmark international wouldn't treat Celtic like a retirement home - because he knows all about Scottish football from his time at Falkirk, according to an old rival who played against him during his last stint north of the border 17 years ago.
Schmeichel, the 37-year-old who was between the stick for Denmark at Euro 20204, was linked with the Hoops a year ago but nothing came of it then, with Joe Hart still installed as Rodgers' No 1.
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He signed for Anderlecht instead, where he made 32 appearances but left when his one-year deal expired. That means the big keeper is looking for a new club.
Schmeichel showed at Euro 2024 he's still got it, and the idea of a reunion with his former Leicester boss was put to Mark Wilson on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard. Wilson played for Celtic when Schmeichel enjoyed an impressive loan spell under John Hughes at Falkirk in 2007. And he reckons that experience means a move could be a goer - while the Dane's prior relationship with Rodgers, and the fact he's a free agent, wouldn't hurt either.
Wilson said: "I like that, it's a sensible suggestion. At 37, he's probably pushing it a wee bit. But still, if he's kept himself in shape, which you'd like to think he would, he's been a fantastic goalkeeper throughout the years. The link there is of course with Brendan Rodgers.
"The stature and experience he's got, that's everything you need in a keeper. If you get a year or two years out of him, then great if he does a job for you.
"I don't think that with every player you sign, the end goal has to be money. The end goal should be the performances and trophies they help deliver. Joe Hart, you have to say, ticked every box. Of course Celtic didn't get any sell-on from him, but they did get a period of success and stability from a keeper who made mistakes, of course, but more often than not was there to help the team get over the line.
"Schmeichel, you could do worse than him, if he's a free agent." Asked if he played against Schmeichel back in 2007, Wilson added: "I did! He doesn't need to pick the phone up to Joe Hart - he already knows what it's like up here, he knows the intensity of the football. He played against Celtic, he knows how big both clubs are, what's expected by the fanbase. It wouldn't be a stranger coming in and thinking 'this is a nice little retirement pay.
"He'll understand that Celtic are playing at the top level, and European football is a massive draw as well. It will be interesting to see if that is one that Brendan Rodgers is interested in. Last year it was on the radar. This year, he's a free agent, so you'd think it would be easier to get over the line, especially when he's not playing second fiddle to Joe Hart. There's a number one spot up for grabs."
