Celtic’s Kasper Schmeichel opens up on career ending injury
The now former Celtic keeper has spoken very openly about the injury that forced his retirement this year
Back in March, the now former Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel underwent surgery on a shoulder injury, an operation said to keep him out for a year, which considering his age, always felt like something that would more or less end his career. On Wednesday, he confirmed as much
Well, in an interview with FourFourTwo, the Danish shot stopper opened up on the injury, and subsequent retirement: “Just trying to get used to it (retiring). Pre-season is probably when it really hits, the fact that you’re not going back and playing. It’s strange because it’s been out of my control. The surgeon says that it’s not going to be able to be fixed to play at the level that I want to play.
I thought with this 10-year anniversary (of Leicester City winning the league) ‘OK, it’s a nice way to finish it off.’ The decision has been taken for me. It’s definitely not how I wanted it, my career’s finished. But I’ve had some time to reflect. I’ve been lucky enough to experience a lot of things, play over 900 games, be part of the teams I’ve been part of, win the trophies I have.”
After speaking about what he can and can’t physically do in day to day life, the 39-year old spoke about the suggestion that he was selfishly playing through an injury and other accusations: “Whether they knew the truth or not, people will inevitably make their own minds up. I know the truth. Martin knows the truth. I gave everything for Celtic. I wanted desperately to win trophies for Celtic. And ultimately, we did, and I look back on my time at Celtic with nothing but great memories.
It’s a club that got under my skin very, very quickly. It’s just a special club. It’s the whole intensity of it, how much it means, the responsibility you feel being a Celtic player. When you live in Glasgow, it’s all anyone talks about. There are Celtic fans everywhere around the world. You have to win every single game and not just win it, win it well. I just love that.”
Fair play, although there is some frustration towards the Dane, this was an honest interview, that you can read in full through the above link. Whatever your thoughts on him, it’s a shame to have your career end in such a way. Nevertheless, there is no doubt he had a fantastic career overall. Not quite the level of his old man, but still pretty good.
