We quickly learned that telling the Great Dane he had little to do in a 6-0 Celtic victory, with no saves to make, was a risky move! Here’s a summary of the conversation that followed:
Q: How do you reflect on Tuesday’s match, the atmosphere, the result, and the performance?
Kasper Schmeichel: “It was a strong performance overall. We started well, went behind, and then had to show our character, belief, and composure to get back into the game. We showed determination, worked hard, and ultimately, I thought we gave a complete performance.”
Q: Callum McGregor mentioned the squad was playing with something to prove in the competition. Do you think you’ve done that, especially after the criticism following Dortmund?
Kasper Schmeichel: “I don’t see it like that. I don’t pay much attention to what’s written in the media because it’s often harsh. The Dortmund game was a one-off—we were off our game, they were on theirs. In the Champions League, that happens sometimes. But we proved against Atalanta and Leipzig that we know what we’re capable of, and we’ve shown it in pre-season against teams like Man City and Chelsea too.”
Q: Fans are dreaming of automatic qualification, not just a playoff spot. How do you view the competition after the first half?
Kasper Schmeichel: “We’re focusing on the next match, not beyond that. It’s easy to get carried away, but this competition is unforgiving. If we keep performing like we did against Leipzig and Atalanta, we’ll have a chance to progress. But we have to stay grounded and humble.”
Q: Next up is a tricky away game at Kilmarnock, with their pitch presenting its own challenges. How do you approach that?
Kasper Schmeichel: “Kilmarnock can be dangerous, as we saw in their game against Rangers. Every match is a challenge, especially away from home. At Celtic, you have to be ready for anything, adapting to different environments and conditions. There are no easy games.”
Q: You’re playing in various competitions—how do you manage the physical and mental demands of that?
Kasper Schmeichel: “We’ve managed it well so far this season. Now, we focus on the next game. Tuesday’s match is behind us, and our full attention is on Kilmarnock. We don’t take anything for granted, we know we have to work hard to win every game.”
Q: Is there more to come from this team? It’s still early in the season, but you’ve had many strong performances already.
Kasper Schmeichel: “Time will tell. We’re not looking beyond the next game. It’s not about dreaming or getting ahead of ourselves. We need to give full attention to each match, respecting every opponent. We’ll see where we end up.”
Q: Are you happy with the team’s progress so far this season?
Kasper Schmeichel: “Yes, we’re in a good place. We’re playing well and the squad is performing. But it’s only a start—we have to keep going.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about being at Celtic?
Kasper Schmeichel: “It’s the whole experience—the daily life, playing in front of a packed Celtic Park, the support from the fans, and the global reach of the club. It’s been an enjoyable experience so far.”
Q: You arrived at Celtic in a similar situation to Joe Hart. Have you learned from his experience?
Kasper Schmeichel: “Joe always talked about how it was a new chapter for him, a chance to learn and grow. I wouldn’t say it’s a new lease of life for me, but football is all about progression. You always need to keep learning and adapting.”
Q: How do you stay in the present moment?
Kasper Schmeichel: “It’s natural for me. Experience plays a big part. I’ve been through different seasons, winning and losing, and I’ve learned not to get too high or too low. You just keep moving forward, one game at a time. Focus on the next match and don’t get distracted by what’s ahead.”
Q: How do you approach playing on Kilmarnock’s artificial pitch, which can affect the game?
Kasper Schmeichel: “Artificial pitches are just part of modern football. We’ll deal with it as it comes. It’s not an excuse. Players have grown up playing on such pitches, and it’s something you just have to adjust to. We’re used to it, and soon enough, these pitches might be phased out.”
Q: How did the atmosphere at Celtic Park on Tuesday compare to other memorable moments in your career?
Kasper Schmeichel: “It was one of the best. The noise from the fans was incredible. I had friends who were at the game, and they said it was a special experience. It definitely ranks highly for me.”
Q: After making a great save in the Leipzig game, did you reflect on it when Reo scored the third goal?
Kasper Schmeichel: “No, I stayed focused. There was still a lot of the game left. In football, you can’t lose focus, or you risk letting the game slip. I’ve seen teams give up leads in the last seconds, and at this level, you have to stay sharp until the final whistle.”
Q: In the Aberdeen game, you didn’t have much to do, but the team played fantastically. What did you think of the performance?
Kasper Schmeichel: “Goalkeeping isn’t just about making saves. There’s a lot more to it now—playing with your feet, being involved in the build-up. Against Aberdeen, I was involved in plenty of ways. The team was great, and that’s the kind of football we want to keep playing.”
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