Viljami Sinisalo hopes ‘goals start flying in’ after Celtic let loose in cup tie

Viljami Sinisalo believes Celtic’s stunning four-goal blitz in their Scottish Cup semi-final victory over St Mirren is proof they can still be a formidable force when playing with the required intent.

After struggling to score prolifically for much of this season, the Hoops suddenly ignited to net four times in the space of just six minutes in the first half of extra time as they secured a 6-2 victory against the shellshocked Saints at Hampden on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Sinisalo believes that remarkable spell can help them rediscover their best form for the final five matches of their William Hill Premiership title bid and their Scottish Cup final showdown with Dunfermline next month.

“It was very pleasing to get six goals, we haven’t done that in a while,” he said. “I’m hopeful we’ll take a lot from that. Hopefully the goals can start flying in like they’ve done there on Sunday.

“It’s definitely there, it’s just about putting yourself in that position more often, playing the forward pass more often and being in and around their box to have those moments. We’ve still got quality at the top end of the pitch, we definitely do, it’s just about being around that area more often.

“We’ve got to somehow find a way to be in that moment more often, like we were four times in six minutes. If you put pressure on your opponent and play it forward and run forward, you’ve always got a chance of causing moments like that and then individual brilliance sometimes takes over like it did on Sunday.”

Celtic are third in the Premiership, three points behind leaders Hearts and two adrift of city rivals Rangers with an inferior goal difference to both sides. Sinisalo insisted there remains a belief within the dressing room they can get themselves back on top to retain a title they have won in 13 of the previous 14 seasons.

“We’re a very tight-knit group, we fight for each other, we’re good teammates,” he said. “We get criticised, that’s absolutely fair, that’s fine, that’s what you sign up for when you’re a footballer.

“But the belief is there. We’ll do our job and see where it takes us, but there’s definitely a belief among the group and the staff that we can do something.

“There’s the tactical stuff and then there’s the mental stuff that you hope helps you. We’ve been there before, there’s players that have won a lot, so hopefully that’s one thing.

“But there’s so many things, staying in games, playing the ball forward, running forward, especially at home. We’ve got quite a few home games coming, so we need to get the crowd involved and be a really difficult team to play against.”