Martin O’Neill opens door to Celtic goalkeeper change after Sam Johnstone impact

Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has revealed that new signing Sam Johnstone will be given the opportunity to provide serious competition for Viljami Sinisalo.

Sinisalo has established himself as Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper, taking the No.1 shirt at the beginning of the campaign and starting every game so far this season.

The Finnish international initially stepped into the side earlier this year following Kasper Schmeichel’s shoulder injury, which ultimately brought the veteran goalkeeper’s career to an end.

O’Neill had to wait until the final week of the summer transfer window to add Johnstone to his squad, but the England international has impressed since arriving from Wolves and is expected to get his opportunity between the sticks.

Asked whether Johnstone had been signed to provide genuine competition for Sinisalo, O’Neill said: “I think that’s very important.

“Why should goalkeepers not have that sort of competition as much as anything else? There’s outfield players who have it every time.

“And the only thing about it is that goalkeepers are so rigid, in that sense, that you find that somebody else is stepping in and playing a game.

“It’s a wee bit like about Sinisalo last season, coming in to take over from Kasper, and he did remarkably well.

“So much so that Kasper, when he looked as if he was getting fit, didn’t get back in again. Then he had the problems with his shoulder.

“But Sinisalo was up for the challenge, so I think that goalkeepers should be challenged.”

Johnstone has made no secret of his desire to become Celtic’s first choice, and O’Neill is encouraged by the 33-year-old’s ambition following his move to the Hoops.

On Johnstone wanting to claim the No.1 spot, O’Neill continued: “Yeah, that’s really pleasing. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

“He’s still young. It’s not as if, let’s say, he’s 40 years of age and just waiting for the last contract. He’s there.

“He wants to do well. It’s not that long ago that he was involved with the England squad. So, yeah, he’s determined.

“He’s looked really good in training. And at some stage or another, he will get into a game because it’ll be necessary for him.

“We’ve got some European games coming up, but the most important game is tomorrow evening for us.”