Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has completed his first shoulder surgery, a necessary step in his attempt to continue playing at 39. The veteran Dane, who joined Celtic from Anderlecht in 2024 but is out of contract this summer, announced the procedure went well via Instagram. 'First shoulder operation done, everything went well,' Schmeichel stated, shifting his focus entirely to recovery ahead of the next operation. He faces up to a year out, a significant blow for a player who has already faced criticism for his recent performances.

Schmeichel has been playing through pain for months, revealing he was 'playing through the pain barrier' during his final Celtic appearances before a February absence. Interim manager Martin O'Neill expressed surprise at the injury's severity, highlighting the unexpected nature of the setback for a player under scrutiny. This surgery places Schmeichel's immediate future with Celtic very much in doubt.