Viljami Sinisalo’s arrival at Celtic ended the Parkhead club’s four-month search for a goalkeeper since Joe Hart announced his retirement in February.
After three seasons at Celtic and over 20 years in the game, Hart decided to hang up his gloves after winning seven trophies at the club.
The Celtic fans gave Hart a hero’s send-off on Trophy Day which the former England international admits was ‘one of the greatest days’ of his professional career.
So whilst that will live long in the memory of Hart and the Celtic fans, so will the goodbye Viljami Sinisalo got from the Exeter City fans at the end of last season.
Sinisalo didn’t make a single first-team appearance for Aston Villa but did make 50 for Exeter and kept 14 clean sheets.
His performances helped The Grecians keep their League One status and their fans gave Sinisalo a hero’s send-off.
Take it all in Vil. You deserve it.
What a season you’ve had, and what a career you’ll go on to have.
Kiitos paljon @VSinisalo01 ❤️#ECFC #SemperFidelis pic.twitter.com/nBj4qve1DW
— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) April 27, 2024
The young Finnish international has been tipped to have an ‘incredible career‘ by former Celtic defender, Gary Caldwell.
Caldwell was his manager at Exter last season and Sinisalo admitted that had it not been for the former Scotland defender, he wouldn’t be at Celtic right now.
With the Aston Villa fans sounding their deep displeasure at their club for allowing what they regard as a highly-rated young goalkeeper to leave for such a small price, it does seem like Brendan Rodgers has unearthed a gem.
It is unlikely that Sinisalo will be Celtic’s first-choice ‘keeper next season.
With Rodgers keen on bringing in Kasper Schmeichel, the big Dane will be the club’s number one as long as he passes his medical this week.
At least Celtic have now addressed the Joe Hart question and the fans will be looking forward to seeing what other hidden gems Brendan Rodgers can bring to the club this summer.
