Kasper Schmeichel took charge on the pitch after Celtic conceded a disastrous opening goal to Club Brugge in their Champions League clash at Parkhead.
The Belgians were gifted the lead thanks to a calamitous sequence involving Cameron Carter-Vickers and the Danish goalkeeper.
Celtic had started brightly, but the game turned when Schmeichel, attempting to provide an outlet for Nicolas Kuhn under pressure, left his goal exposed.
Carter-Vickers, unaware of his keeper’s position, played a blind backpass intended for Schmeichel. The ball rolled straight into the empty net, leaving the home crowd stunned.
Schmeichel reacted immediately, calling captain Callum McGregor to rally the team. The experienced goalkeeper launched into an on-field inquest, blending a debrief with a motivational pep talk to try and re-energise Brendan Rodgers’ side after the early setback.
Former Celtic keeper Joe Hart, providing analysis for TNT Sports, believed he understood the message being delivered by his former Manchester City teammate.
“People who love the modern game will be licking their lips at moments like this,” Hart said.
“But it happens. The amount of times you recycle the ball, play through the lines, and score beautiful goals—unfortunately, moments like this are inevitable.
“The message here, it’s Schmeichel who called that meeting. He told Callum McGregor to ‘get everyone in here now. I need people showing for the ball. It’s not good enough; it’s not how we play. It’s not how we are as a team.’
“That’s the message he’s giving. It will not be, ‘get the ball down, whack it, and we’ll get in behind them.’ No, we play football, and we show for each other. We give our teammates options.”
Hart elaborated on the chain of events: “Nicolas Kuhn didn’t have any options, and the ripple effect was Carter-Vickers under pressure. Schmeichel is probably trying to do too much to help Kuhn, leaving his goal exposed. Carter-Vickers didn’t check, and they’re 1-0 down.”
It was a sobering moment for Celtic in their quest for Champions League progress, with Schmeichel’s leadership underlining the challenges they face at this level.
