Why Kasper Schmeichel is at Celtic as former mentor reveals the one thing he will be RAGING over

Brian Rice signed the Dane for Falkirk in 2007 and has followed his career closely ever since

The man who first brought Kasper Schmeichel to Scotland knows exactly why the keeper has returned – and it’s nothing to do with his bank balance.

Brian Rice signed the Dane for Falkirk in 2007 and has followed his career closely ever since. By the time most top players get to 37, they are thinking about retirement or one final pay day. But Rice reckons Schmeichel made the move to Celtic to boost his medal collection rather than for cash. The Livingston assistant said: “Kasper is a winner and he wants to win more. That is why he is at Celtic. He still has that hunger.

“He is not resting on his laurels. He has come to a club that is in the Champions League and is used to domestic success. Kasper wants a bit of that. He has only lost one goal in the league but even that he will be raging with. That is what makes him the goalkeeper he is.” Rice says the Hoops have replaced one goalkeeping legend with another – with Schmeichel taking over the No.1 role from Joe Hart.

When former England star Hart announced his plans to retire in the summer it looked like it would leave a massive void between the sticks for the champions. That was until Brendan Rodgers made a move to reunite himself with his former Leicester goalie.

The Danish skipper, who played in the narrow weekend defeat to Spain, has come in and taken over the gloves and given Celtic a real security – especially domestically. Schmeichel and Celtic face their toughest test of the Premiership campaign so far when joint leaders Aberdeen come to Glasgow this week, also boasting a seven-game winning run.

Rice said: “Joe Hart was a fantastic keeper and so is Kasper. Look at the clubs they have played for. You don’t play for these clubs unless you are a top professional and performer.

“They have different attributes but they are both legends in their field. All you can say is that Celtic have replaced a top keeper with another. In terms of quality and standing they have brought in like for like. It is one legend for another.”

Following in the footsteps of goalkeeping legends is nothing new for Schmeichel junior. Rice said: “He comes from good stock. His father was sensational and Kasper has also had a magnificent career himself.

“When your dad is Peter Schmeichel, they are big gloves to fill but he has made his own career through his own performances. He hasn’t done it off the back of his dad. Kasper has been on his own journey and it is great credit to him to forge the career he has had.”

Rodgers also knows what he was getting with Schmeichel and so the handover has been pretty seamless. Rice said: “It helps that Brendan knows him. Celtic will have a lot of possession of the ball and the goalie needs to be concentrated and reliable when called upon. He also needs to fit into the way they play.

“Celtic like to play out and Brendan knows what he can do with the ball at his feet. He is a player. He can kick it as far as you want, he can pass it or clip it out.

“You are still not playing at his age if you are still not at the top level. Kasper has already shown at Celtic he is a top keeper. You can’t get any more experienced than Kasper. Look at his career and what he has done.

“He has played in the Premier League, won it and is captain of his country. He dropped down the divisions to get to the top and he has also been abroad. Kasper has done everything. His work ethic is phenomenal.”

Rice used one of his old contacts to help get Schmeichel up on loan in 2007. His ex-Nottingham Forest team-mate, Stuart Pearce, was the manager of Manchester City when Falkirk boss John Hughes needed a new No.1.

Rice said: “We needed a keeper. Yogi asked me to phone Stuart Pearce, who was the manager of Manchester City, to see if they could loan us. I made the call and the only keeper they could loan us was Kasper. We had never seen him play but he was playing the next night in a reserve game against Manchester United.”

Yogi and Chipper went down to watch and they were impressed while Schmeichel was given the seal of approval from the man whom he’d eventually succeed at Celtic. Rice said: “We were watching the match and there were a couple of guys sitting next to us.

“Kasper made a really good save and one of the guys said, ‘that was great’ and then he started talking about Kasper to the guy next to him. Joe Hart happened to be sitting next to us.”

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.