Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel ruled out for five to six weeks

Brendan Rodgers revealed Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel could be out for five to six weeks after sustaining an injury during the recent international break.

The 38-year-old sustained a reported shoulder problem during Denmark’s Nations League quarter-final second-leg defeat in Portugal last month.

Viljami Sinisalo, the Hoops’ 23-year-old Finnish back-up stopper, deputised in Saturday’s 3-0 William Hill Premiership win over Hearts at Parkhead and Schmeichel is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Boss Rodgers told Celtic TV: “We’ve had some news and we will see over the course of the next five to six weeks, which was mentioned.

“This is just something that, day by day, we’ll have a look at.

“But the timeline that was given to us was maybe around about that (five-six weeks).

“Kasper tends to think it might not be as long as that, but certainly in the immediate future, he won’t be available.”

Asked if he was optimistic of seeing Schmeichel back before the end of the season, the Northern Irishman said: “Yes, I believe so.

“Like I say, we will just have to keep an eye on it.”

Celtic travel to St Johnstone on Sunday then host Kilmarnock on April 12 before they meet the Perth side in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on April 20.

Rodgers’ side then have five more William Hill Premiership games against top-six sides and possibly a Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen or Hearts on May 24.

A midweek Premiership fixture card is expected on May 14 and the final round of league fixtures is on May 17/18.