Kasper Schmeichel Has Set off Major Celtic Recruitment Alarm Bells

First of all, it’s critical to recognise that, on paper, signing Schmeichel appears to be a wise decision. He has shown remarkable play in Celtic’s preseason games against elite teams like Manchester City and Chelsea. Schmeichel is expected to be a valuable asset to the Bhoys in goal, having already amassed a strong record of Premier League experience and a number of incredible saves.

But looking past the surface of these performances reveals a story that is rife with poor planning and procrastination. Joe Hart announced his retirement as early as February 22, so it wasn’t a surprise. This allowed Celtic to find a worthy replacement before the preseason even started, giving them an incredible five months—enough time by any measure. However, the game’s alarming turn of events came much later in the play.
The real mystery is that Schmeichel’s first communication with him was made just three or four days after Denmark was eliminated from the European Championship on June 29. The strikingly long time it took to get in contact with the Danish stopper raises serious questions about the effectiveness and vision of Celtic’s hiring process. Why did you have to wait?

This last-minute scramble sounds desperate, and maybe even unambitious. It suggests a scenario in which manager Brendan Rodgers, with time running out and few viable options, had to reach back into his own past connections to bring Schmeichel into the fold. It’s an effective move, but it also suggests Rodgers making up for the recruitment team’s shortcomings.

In any event, there are wider ramifications for how Celtic conducts business than just trying to fill a position. Is there a possible explanation for Celtic’s inability to sign an outfield player just a few days before the flag is raised?
This isn’t meant as a jab at Kasper; in fact, I believe he will excel in the year he spends between the sticks. However, his remarks, which are connected to the hiring team, make me uneasy.

One hopes that the only saves made in the final seconds are those made on the pitch as Celtic look to advance.