Celtic's number one, Kasper Schmeichel, has broken into the world's top 20 goalkeepers, ranking 19th in the most recent CIES Football Observatory rankings. In the global standings, the Danish keeper surpassed several big names, including David De Gea and Alisson Becker of Liverpool.
The prestigious list ranks the top 100 goalkeepers in the world and considers a variety of performance metrics such as match level, results, and how a keeper's save percentage compares to expected values while considering team defensive strength.
Unsurprisingly, this recognition has sparked interest and may lead to bettors increasing betting action in favor or against. Interested bettors, particularly those worried about protecting their betting activity from unauthorised access can use sports betting sites with no KYC requirements to get in on the action. These sites allow fans to register quickly by providing minimal information, and go ahead to place bets on their favorite players and teams. Also, the sites facilitate quick payments without ID.
Schmeichel signed a one-year contract with Celtic last July, reuniting with former Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers. He played a key role in Leicester's 2021 FA Cup victory and 2016 Premier League title during his notable 11-year spell at the club.
The Dane quickly established himself in Glasgow. On his competitive debut on August 4th of last year, he kept a clean sheet in a 4-0 win over Kilmarnock. By September, he had tied a Celtic record that had existed since 1906 with five straight clean sheets.
His best performance in a Celtic shirt came in the Scottish League Cup final against Rangers last December. Schmeichel's penalty save was crucial as Celtic won the trophy, further endearing him to the Parkhead faithful.
What makes his ranking even more impressive is his age because many goalkeepers begin to decline at the age of 38, but Schmeichel remains at the top of his game. His ability to maintain world-class standards demonstrates his professionalism, fitness regimen, and football knowledge.
Another Scottish Premiership goalkeeper, Dimitar Mitov of Aberdeen, is ranked 80th on the CIES list. Curiously, Mitov had a higher save deviation (+4.45%) than Schmeichel (+4.04%), despite playing fewer games because of his injuries. This suggests that the quality of goalkeeping in Scottish football may be higher than widely assumed.
For Celtic, having a goalkeeper of Schmeichel's calibre provides stability in their backline. His commanding presence, shot-stopping ability, and extensive experience make him an asset both domestically and in European competitions.
Celtic fans have witnessed first hand since his arrival that the club has not only acquired a well-known player but also an incredibly talented keeper who continues to improve with age. The CIES Football Observatory's recognition merely validates this.
His position among the global elite demonstrates the value of experience between the posts. Schmeichel's understanding of the game is not something that can be taught overnight. Fans will hope that Celtic's current form continues as they compete for domestic honours and make their mark in European competition. Having a goalkeeper ranked among the best in the world provides a solid foundation on which to build.
The ranking also serves as personal vindication for Schmeichel, who faced questions about his career path after leaving Leicester. His journey through France and Belgium before landing in Scotland demonstrates his willingness to take on new challenges instead of relying on past successes.
As the season progresses, Celtic fans will be relieved to know that one of the world's best shot-stoppers is protecting their goal. And, with Schmeichel showing no signs of slowing down, this may not be his last appearance on such prestigious rankings.