Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is grappling with a significant goalkeeping decision ahead of the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Rangers. The choice lies between Sam Johnstone, recently signed on loan from Wolves, and Viljami Sinisalo, who has been the team's established starter.
Johnstone, a 33-year-old with four England caps, made his debut in the midweek 1-0 victory over St Johnstone. Despite a lack of recent game time, O'Neill appears to see value in his experience and quality. However, Sinisalo has performed well in his previous appearances, stepping up notably when Kasper Schmeichel was unavailable last season. Sources indicate that O'Neill has not yet decided who will start the Old Firm clash, stating, "I haven't made my mind up at all. It's great to have the two of them."
O'Neill acknowledged Sinisalo's strong performances but also highlighted the opportunity to assess Johnstone. "Viljami has done exceptionally well for us and it was just, again, an opportunity to see what Sam can do now," he said. "What he could do a couple of years ago was fantastic, what he can do now might be a totally different picture."
The intensity of an Old Firm match at Ibrox is considered a challenging environment for any goalkeeper, making experimentation unlikely. The selection for this game is expected to signal O'Neill's preferred No. 1 for the remainder of the season. Many observers suggest Johnstone might be favored, given he was introduced for the midweek match, and reverting to Sinisalo for a subsequent league fixture could appear inconsistent.
Johnstone's career path includes spells at numerous clubs, beginning in Manchester United's youth system. He gained significant experience through loan spells before a reported £7 million move to West Bromwich Albion, where he played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League and earned individual accolades. His time at Crystal Palace and Wolves was more limited due to injuries and competition.
His move to Celtic is viewed as an opportunity to regain consistent playing time and potentially re-enter the England squad's considerations. The club also faces a Europa League campaign beginning Thursday against Ferencvaros, a schedule that may influence O'Neill's strategic goalkeeping choices. The manager has spoken about Johnstone's potential for longevity, drawing parallels with Craig Gordon's extended career.
Despite Sinisalo's steady performances and not making any significant errors, the arrival of a more decorated goalkeeper like Johnstone provides strong competition. The decision O'Neill makes will have implications for both goalkeepers, with one inevitably facing disappointment regardless of the outcome.