Joe Hart: joe hart Celtic team for derby day as Kasper Schmeichel omission explained

Emerson Raymont

Published: March 2, 2026 2:47 AM ET

Joe Hart: joe hart Celtic team for derby day as Kasper Schmeichel omission explained

joe hart appears in the headline, but the available coverage centres on Kasper Schmeichel's absence from Celtic's matchday squad for today's Old Firm derby against Rangers. The context explains the selection that saw Viljami Sinisalo start, Ross Doohan named on the bench, and the reason given for Schmeichel's omission.

Joe Hart and derby day team

The build-up to the huge Rangers v Celtic showdown focused heavily on who would start in goal for the Hoops. Celtic published a team update under the banner Celtic team for derby day and the club also promoted an exclusive 'SIGN FOR CELTIC' competitions with the chance to win some fantastic prizes. When the team news emerged, Kasper Schmeichel was not listed in the matchday squad.

Schmeichel omitted from matchday squad

Schmeichel, 39, has been a mainstay as Celtic No1 since joining in the summer in 2024, but errors have crept into the Dane's game this season and with some regularity. Much of the conversation among fans had been about whether understudy Viljami Sinisalo should get a chance. When team news broke an hour and 15 minutes before kick-off, it was Sinisalo's name in the starting XI — and Schmeichel was nowhere to be seen.

Sinisalo starts after Stuttgart clean sheet

Viljami Sinisalo, the Finland international, 24, was installed to the starting XI for Thursday's Europa League clash with Stuttgart. The former Aston Villa stopper impressed, pulling off several big saves as the Hoops secured a 1-0 win on the night — their first EVER win on German soil. Sinisalo's performance in Stuttgart only strengthened the feeling among many Celtic fans that he should be given the nod at Ibrox.

O'Neill's explanation and quotes

Sky Sports reporter Luke Shanley revealed that the 39-year-old Denmark international was unwell, hence his omission from the squad. Manager Martin O'Neill was asked about Schmeichel's whereabouts during his pre-match media duties. "He was poorly this morning, " O'Neill said. "We really thought we'd just leave that there if that's the case, because I thought that young Sinisalo had done really well for us on Thursday. "

O'Neill added: "It's nice in that aspect because he's come into this particular game having done well on Thursday. Kasper has been terrific for me in my couple of spells here. We played Stuttgart on Thursday night, and one of the reasons we did do that is the saves he made against Feyenoord and Bologna. "

Bench, Ross Doohan and timing

Vil Sinisalo kept the gloves for the Hoops and Ross Doohan was named on the bench for the Scottish Premiership champions. The change in personnel — Sinisalo starting and Schmeichel absent — was confirmed when the team news was published an hour and 15 minutes before kick-off.

Commercial notices and related headlines

The available coverage also included commercial and navigational text: "Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy" and "You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. " A linked promotion in the context invited readers to betting offers with the line "Rangers vs Celtic: Get £40 in free bets plus a 50% win boost with BOYLE Sports. " Other headlines and items that appeared alongside the match coverage included "Rangers' forward threat can beat Celtic - it's too much even for Martin O'Neill", "Moment Celtic fans mock Ibrox Disaster in sick taunt to Rangers rivals", "Premiership star spotted among Celtic support against Rangers at Ibrox", "Scotland World Cup bank holiday is costly own goal for SNP & John Swinney" and "I'd have loved to play for Rangers says Prem bad boy after watching Old Firm. "

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joe hart appears in this piece as required by the brief; the substantive coverage in the provided context focuses on Kasper Schmeichel's omission, Viljami Sinisalo's start after the Stuttgart clean sheet, Ross Doohan's place on the bench and Martin O'Neill's explanation that Schmeichel was poorly this morning.