VILJAMI SINISALO is determined to hold on to his position as Celtic number one no matter who else might arrive at Parkhead this summer.
The Finland international helped Celtic to a memorable double after being drafted into the first team for the 1-0 Europa League second-leg win over Stuttgart on February 26.
The former Aston Villa player only suffered one defeat and helped Celtic end the season with nine consecutive wins.
With Kasper Schmeichel now retired, Sinisalo is the undisputed number one but Celtic are expected to sign a goalkeeper at some stage.
The 24-year-old said: “When I came to this football club two years ago, the whole plan was for me to be that number one, and obviously I’m delighted I got that chance. But bottom line is I’ve got the shirt and I intend to keep it.
“That’s what I work towards every day but I understand it’s a huge football club, that there’s always going to be competition and competition ultimately brings the best out of players.
“It’s an amazing club to play for, to get that chance towards the end and get that real taste of it, you just want more.”
Sinisalo feels he grew as a player during an eventful period in his career.
“I’ve probably reflected back on that four-game spell where I initially went in at Stuttgart and then Ibrox twice in a week with the Aberdeen game sandwiched in the middle,” he said.
“At the time you don’t really have the time to think about what you’ve just done in terms of what type of a pressurised situation you’ve gone in. So that’s something you reflect on after the season.
“You definitely grow as the games go on. You understand the pressure of being at this football club, which I think I do, and that’s something that new players always learn very quickly. I’d done that when I came in. That’s what’s expected of you and you learn that really quickly.
“Pressure is a privilege. If you don’t feel pressure or nerves, then you’re probably doing the wrong thing.
“I find myself, a lot of footballers find themselves playing better when there’s something on it, when there’s nerves, a certain level of nerves. Obviously not going overboard with it, but that’s part of it.
“You’ve got to deal with that. That’s part of your job, those moments that you experience as a Celtic goalie, because it’s a sport within sport almost. It’s a lonely position, everyone knows that. The scrutiny on the position is huge and that’s fine. You’ve got to be mentally ready for that.
“Nothing builds you up for that moment until you actually get the chance to do that. Hopefully I can keep doing that.”
Sinisalo is set to feature in a pre-season friendly against Middlesbrough on Saturday. The 10,000 visiting fans could outnumber the home support amid calls for a boycott over ongoing frustrations with the Celtic board and slow transfer activity.
When asked about disquiet among fans, Sinisalo said: “Ultimately, we’re the ones on the pitch doing the playing and I think it all calms down a little bit if we play well. It’s down to us to put the performances out and block that out.”
