Brian Riemer has gone public with his comments just hours after O’Neill declared the goalkeeper was on the brink of a return
(Image: SNS Group)
Denmark boss Brian Riemer has insisted it’s “no surprise” that Kasper Schmeichel is set to miss up to six weeks of action for Celtic.
The Parkhead No. 1 went public with revelations over a shoulder injury just hours after returning to training at Lennoxtown. The goalkeeper has missed his side’s last three games through illness then injury, and prior to that was an unused substitute as Viljami Sinisalo stepped up in his absence in 1-0 away win against Stuttgart.
Following the session, Martin O’Neill hinted that the 39-year-old could return to the matchday squad for the visit of Motherwell on Saturday. But since then, the veteran has contradicted the Irishman as he told media in his homeland that an absence of four to six weeks was now expected.
The shoulder injury will keep Schmeichel out of the Denmark’s crucial World Cup playoff clash with North Macedonia. But RIemer insists that no one around the shot-stopper should be taken aback by the call – despite O’Neill’s claims on Friday.
He told Bold: “We are aware that Kasper has informed me today that he is not available for the upcoming international matches due to an injury. We are always disappointed to receive cancellations.
“Of course, it’s always a shame when players get injured. There’s been a while where he hasn’t played, so it is no surprise.
“I am pleased that we are well equipped in the goalkeeper position with two goalkeepers who perform at a high level in the Premier League. I am very comfortable with that.”
Denmark manager Brian Riemer has given an update on his squad(Image: Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
It’s a major contrast from what O’Neill said ahead of Saturday’s clash with Motherwell.
Asked for an update on the goalkeeper, he responded: “He’s much, much better now.
“He trained today, and he didn’t feel his shoulder; it’s feeling much better after the injection. I’ll have a look at that and see.”
The man himself said: “I have had various treatments, injections and blockades, and unfortunately it has not made it better.
“On the contrary, a nerve was hit during an injection, and I also became ill from that. Now I have to protect my body. I have been told by the specialists that the only thing that will help my shoulder is a 4-6 week break.
“There will be matches after this, and there will be a new season, and I also have to think about that. It is no longer possible.
“I have to admit that my shoulder is not okay.”
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