After Celtic got through 90 minutes against Auchinleck Talbot on Sunday, there were sighs of relief. It was only a 2-0 win with the Junior side defending strongly and reducing the chances for the Hoops in front of goal. Was it a good performance on their part or a bad one from Martin O'Neill's team? One thing is for sure, there was plenty of criticism to go around for several of the forward line.
To be fair to Johnny Kenny, he did get the opening goal. In the second half, he also had another great finish find the back of the net, but it was ruled out due to a narrow offside. Perhaps an earlier second strike would have led to more, but in the end, that wasn't to be.
The defence was largely untested but there were a handful of tense moments. At times, there seemed to be some signs of panic at the back in the rare Auchinleck Talbot forays into the Celtic half. That’s where it became evident that another of the club's plans may have fallen apart.
The more cynical fan will probably laugh at the idea of the club having a plan in the first place. Especially when it comes to one based on long-term succession. But to be fair to the Hoops, it did look as though they had one in place for the goalkeeper position.
Another Celtic plan might be starting to fall apart
Bringing in Kasper Schmeichel was seen as a masterstroke at the time to replace Joe Hart. That has gone awry somewhat this season with several question marks over the Dane’s form and fitness. A key part of the plan was bringing in Viljami Sinisalo alongside him. The Finnish international was to continue his development with Celtic, not just as the Danish legend's cover, but as his eventual successor as well.
Sinisalo has had limited game time this year. He stepped up last season, capably deputising during a Schmeichel injury spell. Many had even called for him to be made the number one. He has stepped in occasionally in this campaign, but with worrying signs. The latest of those came in that Auchinleck Tablot match.
Standing in for Schmeichel in Sunday’s cup tie, the keeper flapped at a first-half cross. It’s not the first time he has looked weak this season, dealing with balls into the box. Sinisalo also fluffed a couple of balls up the pitch, finding the touchline rather than one of his teammates. Neither was a good look nor inspired confidence in the man many had expected to take over the number one slot.
It seems as though that succession plan has a serious flaw. Namely the current playing form of Sinisalo. Admittedly, it comes with limited game time, but those are the chances he has to take to impress, not cause concern and worry. Just as we thought the club might have one good plan, it looks to be falling apart in front of our eyes.