Viljami Sinisalo looks set to play a key role for Celtic between now and the end of the season amid the latest update on Kasper Schmeichel's condition.
Brendan Rodgers revealed yesterday that the Dane will be out injured for around five to six weeks.
That means backup goalkeeper Sinisalo will come into the team for several key matches.
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The 23-year-old has only made two appearances for the club since joining for £1m from Aston Villa last summer, although his role will be crucial over the coming month and more as Rodgers' men look to hone in on a domestic treble.
Assuming, best-case scenario, Schmeichel is out for five weeks, he won't return to fitness until the weekend of Saturday, May 11, the third-last matchday of the Scottish Premiership season.
That means that, at minimum, Sinisalo will play Celtic's next five fixtures, several of which are pivotal in their season.
Indeed, the Finn will feature in his team's Scottish Cup semi-final with St Johnstone in a few weeks and at least their next four league matches.
Given that Celtic need three more league victories to secure the title, Sinisalo will likely feature in the match that wins his team the championship.
Depending on how the Scottish Premiership post-split fixtures unfold, too, there is every chance that the young stopper could play the final derby of the season against Rangers at Ibrox.
Sinisalo kept a clean sheet at the weekend as Celtic defeated Heart of Midlothian by three goals to nil: "I thought he was excellent," said boss Rodgers post-match.
"I really like his authority. We've seen him as a young keeper that could come in, have a season investing in being an understudy, from learning from a top keeper and the mentality of a very top keeper, knowing that he wasn't going to play so much.
"I've seen him grow from pre-season, where he was good in the games. He played a game here before, didn't have a lot to do, but he was assured."
