Viljami Sinisalo began this season with the expectation, if not guarantee, of being Celtic’s designated goalkeeper for domestic cup competitions.
Unfortunately for the Finnish international, by the time the League Cup semi-finals came around late last year, the managerial turbulence which surrounded the Scottish champions scuppered that scenario.
However, circumstances now dictate that Sinisalo is the de facto Celtic No 1 for the rest of a campaign which could yet deliver a Premiership and Scottish Cup double.
Kasper Schmeichel’s career-threatening shoulder injury has left the Finn as the man in possession of the shirt as Celtic go into this Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren at Hampden before the post-split title race fixtures begin.
‘It’s such a weird business, you don’t know what’s happening in a week’s time,’ said the 24-year-old. ‘There are injuries, there are selection decisions, there are things which happen which you can’t control as a goalkeeper.’
Sinisalo played in Celtic’s first two League Cup ties this season against Falkirk and Partick Thistle but, following Brendan Rodgers’ departure in October, he missed out on the semi-final and final under Martin O’Neill and Wilfried Nancy respectively.
Viljami Sinisalo is relishing the chance to end the season on a high with league and cup glory
‘There was definitely a plan of me playing more than I did last season, which started alright in the League Cup,’ he added,
‘There were plans, but obviously plans change when people change, which is completely understandable. We’ve had different managers at different times. As a young keeper you’re a little bit unfortunate at that time maybe. But I’ve just tried to keep my head down and I’ve always known the opportunity would come eventually.
‘I’ve just tried to work as hard as I can to be ready for that opportunity because you only get one career and one shot at it. So there’s no point wasting a day, which I haven’t done and will never do.
‘I pretty much understand that it’s always about the next game. I want to just keep improving and being better and trying to showcase to people who I am as a goalie.’
Sinisalo’s goalkeeping style has been forged while operating alongside some genuine luminaries in the position during his six years at Aston Villa before his £1 million move to Celtic in 2024.
They included two men with World Cup winners’ medals in their cabinets, Argentina’s Emi Martinez and Spanish keeper Pepe Reina.
‘I’ve been really lucky with the goalies I worked with at Villa,’ said Sinisalo. ‘Martinez is one of the better keepers in the world for me.
‘You learn a lot about the sheer presence that the man has and the aura that he carries around him. He’s a very confident man, which is something that you definitely need.
Sinisalo has had to be patient at Celtic having played second fiddle to Kasper Schmeichel
‘I also worked with Pepe Reina and Tom Heaton at Villa and you try to take bits from everyone and mould yourself into a goalie that you want to be.
‘Coming to Celtic and working with Kasper, I’ve also been really lucky. I enjoy coming in to training at Celtic every day and trying to be a better goalie. Every day I walk out of this building trying to be better than I was when I came in.
‘Every footballer wants to be involved in games with big pressure and we’ve got many of them coming up now.
‘I enjoy that pressure, it’s a privilege. Why overthink it? It’s what I love doing and I’m trying to showcase what I am as a person and as a footballer while enjoying it at the same time.’
