Often, skill is not enough when it comes to making the grade at a club with such lofty standards and sky-high expectations. Fortunately, for one of Celtic’s stated summer targets, his attitude is just as stunning as his skill.
Gary Caldwell, a two-time Scottish Premiership champion in green-and-white, was coaching in England’s third division last season when the Celtic-linked prodigy made his impact.
The £3 million-rated teenager struck Caldwell’s eye not just with his outstanding reflexes and impressive maturity, but for his discipline and dedication off the pitch (Scottish Sun).
“I think it’s brilliant that a loan player can come and connect with the club like he has,” Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon in April, Viljami Sinisalo proving to be a big hit on loan at Exeter City from Premier League giants Aston Villa.
“The way he’s bought into everything and connected with the supporters, with team-mates…
“He turned up at half five at a gym at Newton Abbot and he was the first one there, after cancelling his holiday. I suppose that tells you everything you need to know about Vil. And I’m confident he’ll go on to have a fantastic career.”
Celtic intrigued on Aston Villa goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo
Capped twice by Finland already, Sinisalo has a decision to make concerning his future at club level. Does he return to Aston Villa and attempt to force his way into Unai Emery’s plans, maybe seizing Robin Olsen’s role as the club’s back-up choice behind Emi Martinez?
On the other hand, it would feel a tragedy if Sinisalo was to go from 45 league appearances in 2023/24 to none in 2024/25, even if there is certainly a huge gap between the third division and England’s top flight.
The Scottish Sun add that Celtic are willing to offer Sinisalo the sort of regular first-team opportunities that may be beyond him at Villa Park, Joe Hart‘s retirement meaning The Hoops have lost their go-to shot-stopper of the last three seasons.
Shaun MacDonald, who found himself caught below Sinisalo in the Exeter City pecking order last season, sees no reason why his old team-mate should not be trying to progress at least one rung up the ladder. And if he ends up playing Champions League games and contending for trophies at Celtic, all the better.
“He’s wasting his time coming back to League One next year”, MacDonald says The Athletic. “I’ve said that openly and he agrees. He’s got a year left on his contract (at Aston Villa), so he would probably have to sign a new agreement if he was going on loan again.
“I would say move to the Championship. (But) I saw stories of Celtic, so something like that would be great.”
Scottish champions need Joe Hart successor
Celtic, HITC stated at the start of the year, have prioritised Caoimhin Kelleher to replace Hart. Kelleher recently came out about his desire to play regular first-team football, locked behind Alisson Becker at Liverpool.
Whether Celtic could pay the money required for a man projected to cost an eight-figure number remains to be seen. A cheaper option may be Trabzonspor captain Ugurcan Cakir, apparently valued at roughly £8 million.
There have also been links with Etienne Vaessen, the long-serving Eredivisie ace who just stated his wish to quit RKC Waalwijk when his contract expires this summer.
Werder Bremen’s Michael Zetterer has been discussed too. Manchester City are keen, however, on the Bundesliga stopper.
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