The Hoops are set to lose their No. 1 for the long term but former Ayr United loan star Viljami Sinisalo has been tipped to shine
Viljami Sinisalo is gearing up for his big chance at Celtic as the Hoops sweat over the fitness of regular no.1 Kasper Schmeichel.
But the big Finland keeper has never been a man to shirk a challenge.
Sinisalo was just a teenager when he first headed to Scotland after being given a glowing recommendation from Aston Villa teammate and Scotland hero John McGinn.
It was the autumn of 2020, when the nation was in the thick of the covid lockdown, with fans shut out of grounds and people dubbed up in their homes.
But the then 18-year-old didn’t blink when the call came from Ayr United to come on loan and his old boss Mark Kerr could tell pretty quickly the lanky shot stopper was destined for big things.
And the former Somerset Park gaffer – who is now working alongside Charlie Mulgrew at Kelty Hearts – has no doubts his former charge can step up and fill the huge void that could be left if Schmeichel’s long term injury fears are realised.
Sinisalo is in line for a Premiership debut against Hearts on Saturday having only appeared in the 5-0 League Cup win against Raith Rovers so far.
Kerr said: “The deal came about through Willo Flood. He knew one of the scouts down there and then when his name came up I texted John McGinn.
“John said he was training with the Villa first team every day and he was a cracking boy with a lot of ability.
“He said he would do a decent job. Viljami was still only 18 year-old at the time so we brought him up to train and to have a look, only because he was so young.
“He really made an impression. He was a big lad but agile and you could tell he would be different class.
“To be fair, it was a difficult period during the covid season. It was so bad for everyone. We’d lost lots of players and the ones coming in were stuck in the house.
“It was tough for him but he was a great lad, who chucked himself right into it. He did really well for us.
“There was the odd wee mistake, the kind you expect from young players, but the great thing was that he didn’t let it affect him and he would learn from them.
“He did so well he ended up getting called up for Finland while he was with us.
“It was a bit of a shame the way it ended. We’d had a few games called off with covid, he went away with Finland and came back with an injury and that was that.
“That summed up the entire season but even back then we could tell he was going to go far in the game.”
Kerr isn’t surprised Celtic came calling after Sinisalo’s star turn at Exeter City under Gary Caldwell while on loan from Villa.
The £1m move seemed smart business with Schmeichel checking in on the same day and it could be the long term plan gets accelerated.
Former Dundee United and Aberdeen favourite Kerr said: “I was delighted he got his move to Celtic. There was talk they were looking at him even back then when he was with us at Ayr. When he came in it looked like there was a long term plan to be no.1 eventually.
“I’m sure he will take it in his stride and if he gets his chance he’ll be up and running. It will have been some experience for him working with Schmeichel this season.
“It’s a blow for Celtic because he’s been top class all year. But what a chance it could be for Viljami and maybe be part of the title run in and even the latter stages of the Scottish Cup.
“I’ve got no doubt he has the ability and the mentality to cope with it.”
Kerr won’t just be keeping tabs on Sinisalo at Celtic – there’s another former Ayr United ace doing the business at Parkhead.
Luke McCowan was also part of the Honest Men squad back then and his career has since gone into overdrive.
Kerr is still close with the midfielder and is thrilled to see the playmaker’s hard graft pay off.
And he’s quick to shoot down anyone who suggested McCowan struggled against Rangers in the Old Firm defeat a fortnight ago.
The 26-year-old has featured in most Hoops games this season and could be called on to start again this weekend with captain Callum McGregor nursing a calf injury of late.
Kerr said: “It’s funny how things work out. Luke was outstanding for us. I love seeing how he’s doing. I’m still in touch with him and it’s just brilliant to see his hard work paying off.
“It’s some story. He got released, was on peanuts, working down to Gourock sports centre and all that, you name it.
“He was just so keen to learn. You could see he was a player and he just worked so hard at his game.
“I’m buzzing for him to get his rewards. Nothing fazes him and he’s taken going to Celtic in his stride.
“He’s probably played a bigger role than some expected but he’s never looked out of place. I got a few messages after the game against Rangers saying he might have been out of his depth, but I told them they don’t know what they are talking about.
“It wasn’t a great day for Celtic but he was the one who always demanded the ball and tried to make things happen. It’s funny, he’s one of those guys if he had an exotic name folk would be raving about him.
“He’s been a brilliant signing for Brendan Rodgers and the good thing is he’ll still be determined to keep improving.
“You can see him having a long career at Celtic. It’s great to see the two of them doing so well at a big club.”