Kasper Schmeichel is hitting the headlines after the Celtic hero’s performance in Denmark’s crucial win over Greece.
Schmeichel’s Denmark went into the Greece game knowing Scotland had just beaten Belarus 2-1 to put more pressure on Brian Reimer’s side at the top of the World Cup qualifying Group C.
As Celtic teammate Kieran Tierney helped Scotland gain a guaranteed play-off spot, Schmeichel was ‘losing his temper’ even though Denmark’s win over Greece was more than comfortable.
So why was the Celtic goalkeeper so incensed as Denmark took a big step to automatic qualification for the World Cup? The Danish media reveals all.
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesWhy Celtic hero Kasper Schmeichel was ‘furious’ for Denmark vs Greece
Schmeichel had been on a clean sheet run after the Celtic hero’s last four shut outs against Lithuania, Scotland, Greece and Belarus.
Going for five in a row and with Denmark 3-0 up, Schmeichel lost his cool as the Greeks scored in the 63rd minute as the Danish media explains.
DR: “The current ‘Mr-Clean Sheet’ for both Denmark and Scottish Celtic had not yet been passed in the first three matches of the World Cup qualifiers, so now ‘four in a row’ had to be played in Parken. The goal was not kept, but Schmeichel made a few important saves, especially after the break. But he also lost his temper at the Greek goal and received a warning.”
Sport TV2: “Then the goalless draw didn’t last any longer. Schmeichel had no chance against the Greek goal and made an excellent impression.”
BT: “If you know him well, he was furious when the Greeks got on the scoreboard. It also cost him a yellow card for holding the ball back. What seemed like a quiet day suddenly became completely chaotic. He pulled off a crazy save when Greece could have gone 2-3. Hats off to that.”
Tipsbladet: “The experienced last bulwark got a lot more to do today than he did in the three previous matches, as the Greeks bit back at the start and after the reduction. He didn’t get his fifth clean sheet in a row when the Greeks got the reduction, and ended up in a scuffle with Ioannidis in connection with the goal, which cost him a warning.”
Celtic icon Kasper Schmeichel’s impressive Denmark stats
Schmeichel was solid for Denmark as the veteran goalkeeper put in an impressive performance that bodes well for Celtic this week.
Here is the Hoops hero’s stats from Fotmob:
Minutes played: 90Rating: 7.3Saves: 2Goals conceded: 1xGOT faced: 1.50Goals prevented: 0.50Accurate passes: 15/22 (68%)Accurate long balls: 4/11 (36%)Acted as sweeper: 1High claim: 0Diving save: 1Saves inside box: 1Recoveries: 4Touches: 27
Hopefully Schmeichel brings this type of performance and the fire in his belly as Celtic resume their season against Dundee on Sunday.