Celtic's Schmeichel 'could've played last game'

Kasper Schmeichel has made 88 Celtic appearances Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel may have played his "last football game" with surgery required on his shoulder but he is eager to "fight" to regain fitness. The Denmark international, 39, last played on 22 February and will have the first of two operations later this month. He will miss his country's World Cup play-off semi-final against North Macedonia on 26 March. The former Leicester City keeper is out of contract at the end of the season and faces up to a year of recovery. "I could've potentially played my last football game," Schmeichel told CBS Sports Golazo. "I've been a footballer since the day I was born. It's devastating. It's very, very hard to wrap my head around at the moment. "I got the message [on Tuesday] that it could potentially be the end of my career. By the time I could get back fit I could be plus 40. "I'm going to give it everything I can to see if I can get back. It would be probably one of the greatest feats of my career if I could ever get back from an injury like this. I'm going to fight, I'm going to try everything I can. I'm going to do the rehab." Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? Visit our Celtic page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Viljamo Sinisalo has featured in Celtic's past five fixtures while Schmeichel has still been taking part in training. "I'm going to need two surgeries now to fix my shoulder," 2016 Premier League winner Schmeichel explained. "I've torn the bicep, torn the rotator cuff, dislocated the shoulder, torn the labrum. Everything's gone. "To maybe put it into terms you can understand, it's like an outfielder doing his ACL and their Achilles at the same time "It's looking like 10-12 months of rehab. "Football means everything to me. It's been my whole life, it's been my whole identity." Kasper's father Peter, the former Denmark and Manchester United keeper, was being interviewed in the same segment. "Whatever situation he was facing, I tried to be there, as a father, as a dad," he said. "I don't want this to end with an injury like that. "Shoulder injury for a goalkeeper, you can't imagine how bad that is. Every time you dive to that side, you land on it. "This is seriously bad. "What can I do to help Kasper?" Morocco awarded Afcon title after Caf overturns result Why ex-Palace winger Olise is now in Ballon d'Or contention at Bayern The 'anti-Lamine' backed to be one of best in world A missing person case forces DS Fia Lucey back to Blackwater Graham Norton shares his award show memories Gripping award‑winning crime drama Actor Siobhán McSweeney shares her favourite travel destination 'Aberdeen savour the most perfect game ever played' How McTominay became a Napoli icon after Man Utd exit Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs Why ex-Palace winger Olise is now in Ballon d'Or contention at Bayern Have Liverpool lost 'chaotic' edge that made them so feared? The 'anti-Lamine' backed to be one of best in world Will Champions League be Guardiola's Man City regret? Chelsea's cheating - was a fine too lenient? Inside the state school at the top of English rugby union 'Looking like the Hamilton of old' and potential rule changes - F1 Q&A 'Haaland of rugby' - how Bielle-Biarrey has stormed stage How Chelsea signed a star team with hidden payments Who makes BBC pundits' Six Nations team of the tournament? Video Who makes BBC pundits' Six Nations team of the tournament? Another compelling Players - but why is it unlikely to ever be a major? Norrie replaces Draper as British number one - but for how long? Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion. Video Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? A finale worthy of the greatest Six Nations in history What next for Dowman - how do you look after a precious talent? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.