Celtic boss Martin O'Neill says he will give Sam Johnstone the opportunity to win the starting job between the sticks after his arrival on a season-long loan deal from Wolves.
The Bhoys have been relying on Viljami Sinisalo so far this season, and indeed for a significant chunk of last season due to Kasper Schmeichel struggling with injury, ultimately leading to his retirement.
Sinisalo coped well during the run-in last season, and he has been very good so far this season. There has been the odd goal he might have liked to have done better with, such is football, but the current Celtic number one has been very consistent with his performances.
Still, it looks as though Johnstone, a 33-year-old former England international, will get his chance to push Sinisalo for a start, with O'Neill seeing competition as vital, even between the sticks.
“I think that’s very important," said the veteran boss. "Why should goalkeepers not have that sort of competition as much as anything else? There’s outfield players who have it every time.
“And the only thing about it is that goalkeepers are so rigid, in that sense, that you find that somebody else is stepping in and playing a game. It’s a wee bit like about Sinisalo last season, coming in to take over from Kasper, and he did remarkably well.
“So much so that Kasper, when he looked as if he was getting fit, didn’t get back in again. Then he had the problems with his shoulder. But Sinisalo was up for the challenge, so I think that goalkeepers should be challenged.”
While it's logical that O'Neill will have competition at the goalkeeper position, which was the whole reason of bringing in Johnstone, Sinisalo should be given a long runway.
Sinisalo has been excellent so far, and still only 24 years of age, his development should be a priority. Should his form remain strong, Celtic may be developing a goalkeeper for years to come.
Wasting that development by starting a veteran goalkeeper ahead of him would be a big mistake. Now, of course, if Sinisalo's form tails off and mistakes are happening too often, then a change will have to be made. But O'Neill should avoid forcing competition for competition's sake. Sinisalo has earned a good opportunity.
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