Overview
- Martin O’Neill confirmed Kasper Schmeichel will miss the trip to Pittodrie through illness and said he hopes the goalkeeper will be available for Sunday.
- Viljami Sinisalo will start again after impressing against Stuttgart, where he kept a clean sheet, and in the 2-2 draw at Ibrox.
- O’Neill praised Sinisalo’s displays and noted the 24-year-old wants to become Celtic’s long-term first-choice, calling this run an opportunity to stake his claim.
- Assessments remain split, with Antti Niemi and Chris Sutton advocating for Sinisalo to keep the gloves, while Stiliyan Petrov and other club figures have voiced support for Schmeichel.
- The decision follows criticism and booing Schmeichel received after the Stuttgart first leg and comes days before a Scottish Cup quarter-final back at Ibrox.