Kasper Schmeichel

Kasper Schmeichel has revealed how he narrowly missed out on the chance to sign for Bayern Munich a couple of years ago.

Schmeichel was being lined up for a move to Munich when Bayern and Germany No 1 Manuel Neuer picked up an injury following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.


It would have been a dream come true for Schmeichel given that his grandfather instilled a love of Bayern in him from a young age.



In the end, Bayern pulled the plug on the deal for reasons unknown — and Schmeichel is now back in Bavaria aiming to dump them out of the Champions League with Celtic.

‘Yes, that’s correct, there were discussions about me joining Bayern,’ said Schmeichel. ‘It was after Manuel Neuer got his injury at the World Cup a couple of years ago.

‘Basically, everything was kind of agreed and it just fell through at the last second. You would have to ask Bayern what the problem was


I’m not 100 per cent sure what happened, but I was kind of on my way to the airport.

‘Unfortunately, it didn’t materialise. It would have been a dream to have played for a club like this, but it wasn’t to be.

‘Everything happens for a reason. I’m very happy with where it’s brought me now. Sometimes life works in funny ways. I’m delighted to now be with Celtic.

‘My grandfather loved German football and Bayern Munich are kind of the flagship of German football, so he always talked about them


It’s a club that I’ve followed from an early age. It’s great to play against them, but it would be even greater if we could pull off something.

‘I spoke to the hierarchy. I knew what my role was going to be. It was keeping the seat warm until Manuel came back. And I was more than fine with that.


To have played for a club of this stature would have been more than enough. I said: “Send the contract”. I don’t even need to know what it is. I’ll sign it anyway.

‘So, yeah, it would have been a dream come true, but it wasn’t to be. And it’s brought me here now with Celtic. So I’m very happy with that as well.’



Schmeichel will need to be at the top of his game if Celtic are to pull off one of the greatest shocks in Champions League history.

The Celtic and Denmark No 1 will also be going up against Neuer, a player whom he first encountered almost 20 years ago and has grown to admire.

‘My first game against him was nearly 20 years ago,’ explained Schmeichel. ‘It was Germany Under-21s against Denmark Under-21s. I think we lost 4-0 that game or something.

‘Germany had a few good players in there. I do remember Neuer. I’d heard about this guy that played for Schalke at the time. He was a young guy, he was close to me in terms of age


He was the captain of a big club at that age. I remember him coming out, there was a good 2,000 Schalke fans behind his goal screaming his name.


‘I thought: “Wow, this guy must have something”. So I obviously followed him very closely. I always enjoyed watching him. Like I say, for me, one of the best keepers to ever play.


He revolutionised the position of goalkeeper, that’s a fair assessment of what he’s done. He’s a keeper that’s just so complete in every aspect. So I always try to learn from him and really enjoy watching him

 

Great performance from the big man.

 

For Celtic to do well in Europe, we need a goalkeeper who keeps us in games at vital moments.

Boruc, Forster, Schmeichel et al.

It's absolutely pivotal to any European progression.

 

Might be better than Boruc and Forster for me. Ability on the ball helps aswell.

 

Gutted for him man.

 

I love Joe Hart, but Schmeichel is a better version of him.

Doesn’t look like he’s dropping off at all.

 

This might be hyperbole, but he's world class

 

The wall

 

Great performance tonight.

 

Quality again

 

He's amazing.

 

Absolutely brilliant. What a keeper. Tremendous tonight as he's been all season.

 

Lucky to be getting another year out of him, has he even made the slightest hint of an error for us. Unbelievable keeper

 

A leader and an excellent GK