Celtic manager Martin O'Neill expressed surprise and disappointment after goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel announced on live television that he faces double shoulder surgery and up to a year of rehabilitation. O'Neill had previously stated Schmeichel was nearing a return to fitness, only to hear the severity of the injury during CBS's Champions League coverage.

O'Neill admitted he was caught off guard by the announcement, saying he didn't realize the injury was as severe as it turned out to be. The 74-year-old manager explained that while he knew Schmeichel had been receiving injections to manage pain from a shoulder injury sustained while playing for Denmark 12 months ago, the extent of the damage was unknown until recently.

Schmeichel had come under criticism for some performances since the injury, including an own goal in Celtic's Scottish Cup final defeat by Aberdeen. O'Neill defended the goalkeeper's efforts, noting that Schmeichel had made important saves during his tenure and that the team's results had been acceptable both with and without him in the lineup.