Evergreen Kasper Schmeichel can be Celtic keeper for YEARS as former teammate reveals why it's not his swansong yet

Kasper Schmeichel is set to shimmer on his long-awaited return to the Champions League spotlight.

And former team-mate Anders Lindegaard believes mindset and fire hold the key to the Celtic star staying at the top into his forties. Schmeichel has made a sparkling start to his Parkhead career with just a solitary goal conceded in his first five games. The 37-year-old added two more clean sheets for his country during the international break and is back in Glasgow ready to go again.

Schmeichel faces Hearts on Saturday before the Champions League campaign gets underway against Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday. Seven-and-a-half years from a run to the last eight of the competition with Leicester City which ended with defeat to Atletico Madrid, the No.1 is heading back to the biggest stage.

Lindegaard, a former Manchester United and Denmark ace, believes his compatriot will relish the opportunity and shine. He said: “It’s fantastic for him to be playing Champions League football again, especially at this time of his career. He’s had a very good start at Celtic and that is important for a goalkeeper.

“If you can start well when you move to a new club it takes you a long way and really helps the rest of the team. Kasper is a great signing for Celtic. It’s a great move for them and for him. He is a brilliant goalkeeper, he is top class and has a lot of experience.

“He will have a positive influence on the Celtic team, he has a lot of top level experience in club and international football. They have made a very good signing with him.”

The departure of Joe Hart left a gaping void in the Parkhead ranks in terms of his experience as well as his ability. However, Schmeichel’s arrival filled the gap perfectly. Turning 38 in November, a