Could Rodgers make his Celtic debut next Sunday?

As Celtic prepare for their upcoming Premier Sports Cup match against Hibs, some fans are wondering whether manager Brendan Rodgers could hand goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo his Celtic debut.

Football Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Kilmarnock – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Great Britain – 4 August 2024 Celtic’s Viljami Sinisalo warms up before the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

The spotlight is already on Kasper Schmeichel, an experienced professional brought in this summer as Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper who has started the team’s opening two league games. However, the cup game against Hibs presents an opportunity for potential squad rotation.

Viljami Sinisalo, who joined Celtic this summer, is seen as a long-term asset to the club having signed a five-year deal. He is expected to take over the No.1 role for the next few years.

While cup games often serve as a testing ground for new signings, the decision to field Sinisalo is a complex one. Schmeichel is still settling into the squad and establishing relationships with the defence, which could mean Rodgers would prefer to keep him in goal.

Rodgers could delay Sinisalo’s debut, possibly waiting until the Scottish Cup later in the season. This would allow Schmeichel to fully adapt to his new surroundings while gradually preparing Sinisalo for future responsibilities.

I daresay that in the build-up to the match, Rodgers will clarify some details about his team selection plans.