Schmeichel Under Scrutiny Following Celtic's Heavy Defeat
Kasper Schmeichel was held responsible for two of Stuttgart's four goals during Celtic's 4-1 loss at Parkhead in the Europa League play-off.
At half-time, attention centered on Celtic's goalkeeper. Former Scotland forward James McFadden remarked on Schmeichel's positioning and anticipation.
"It looks to me as if he is not expecting shots, which is strange for a goalkeeper," McFadden said. "He's expecting defenders to stop every shot. Teams will be saying there appears to be a weakness to his left-hand side."
Schmeichel, on loan from Leicester City, was beaten to his left by a tame shot from Bilal El Khannouss for Stuttgart's opening goal. He then conceded a second goal from a free header seven yards out.
By full-time, Schmeichel was again in the spotlight after Jamie Leweling's powerful long-range strike passed through the 39-year-old goalkeeper for Stuttgart's third goal. Tiago Tomas added a fourth late in the match, completing a disappointing evening for Celtic.
Celtic now face Scottish Premiership fixtures against Hibernian at home and Rangers away, surrounding their upcoming Europa League match in Germany.
Discontent Among Fans and Staff
The atmosphere at Parkhead was tense, with fans protesting against the club's board before the game and later ironically applauding Schmeichel's saves.
"It's bitterly disappointing," former Celtic captain and manager Neil Lennon said regarding the jeers directed at Schmeichel. "He had a bad night but it still doesn't warrant that kind of treatment."
Thursday's match followed a series of perceived errors by Schmeichel, including conceding a looping header to Joe Hugill for Kilmarnock and a goal by Jonathan Rowe for Bologna.
Despite the criticism, Celtic's interim manager Martin O'Neill defended Schmeichel post-match.
"It's a tough evening for us," O'Neill said. "On paper, 4-1 looks pretty poor. We were masters of our own downfall in many respects, conceded some poor goals. Kasper [Schmeichel] has made some great saves while I've been here. This is a collective, there's no doubt about that. We played Feyenoord in a game we probably had to win and he made an unbelievable save, otherwise we wouldn't be here playing tonight. I will think about all sorts of things [before the next game], but Kasper has done really well since I've arrived at the football club, in both spells."
Captain Callum McGregor also expressed support for Schmeichel.
"Everyone makes mistakes. Kasper has been amazing since he's come to the club. He'll dust that down. We win as a team and lose as a team. There's no blame, he's made so many big saves for us. He'll bounce back for sure."
Debate Over Goalkeeper Selection
Statistical analysis indicates Schmeichel's underperformance in European matches this season. He has conceded 19 goals in nine Europa League games, with a save percentage of 62%. Celtic's expected goals on target conceded is 13.96, indicating Schmeichel has allowed four more goals than expected.
McFadden suggested that Celtic's season trajectory could depend on whether O'Neill continues with Schmeichel or opts to promote goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo.
"Does the season hinge on it? It might do because if Martin O'Neill opts to stick with Kasper Schmeichel, that's a big decision. If he opts to change him, that's a big decision. If you feel that's the decision to be made because you feel more secure at the back, then you make it."
BBC Scotland pundit Pat Bonner, a former goalkeeper at Parkhead, expressed his opinion on the matter.
"My opinion is that Sinisalo should have got a run in the team earlier this season," Bonner said.
Meanwhile, Lennon criticized the overall team performance on a night when Stuttgart dominated.
"Celtic lacked a lot of power and intensity, certainly in a defensive capacity," Lennon said. "It was far too easy, far too stand-offish. That is not a Martin O'Neill team or a Martin O'Neill performance. I cannot believe the lack of passion."
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