Celtic’s Viljami Sinisalo Highlights Room for Improvement Despite 3-0 Champions League Victory
Celtic has started their season impressively, securing four wins from four matches, scoring a total of 13 goals while conceding just one. However, goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo believes the team can perform at an even higher level.
After Celtic’s dominant 3-0 victory over LASK in the Champions League play-off first leg on Tuesday night, Sinisalo expressed some relief at LASK having two goals disallowed. He emphasized that while the team achieved a strong result, there is potential for further improvement.
“I think we can be better, as weird as it may sound,” Sinisalo stated. The goalkeeper was crucial in maintaining a clean sheet, making eight saves during the match. He reflected on the performance, saying, “The big moments went for us and there’s a lot that we can do better. Ultimately, we’ve come away with a 3-0 win so we’ve got to be happy, but I think there’s a lot more to come from the group.”
Sinisalo noted his desire to reduce the need for so many saves in future matches. “I didn’t think we were brilliant. We were okay at times and some of the football we played was good, but I think we can be a lot better. They’re a decent side and they’ll cause us problems when we go there,” he added.
He reminded everyone that the tie is far from over, stating, “It’s half-time and no one’s getting carried away or ahead of ourselves.”
Reflecting on his previous European experience, Sinisalo recalled Celtic’s 1-0 win against Stuttgart as they exited the Europa League last season. He cherished the unique atmosphere of the Champions League and the emotions it stirred within him. “It’s a funny one because not many Finnish players play in the Champions League or get that opportunity,” the 24-year-old commented. “It’s something you dream about.”
Sinisalo expressed his eagerness for more opportunities at this prestigious level. “You hear that, it brings a smile to your face and shivers and stuff like that, but you just want more and want to belong at that level. It’s like anything in life, if you want something, you get something, you just do it again and again and again,” he said. “It’s no different to winning trophies. Once you win one, you just want to win more.”
Celtic have won four out of four this season, scoring 13 goals and conceding just one – but goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo has warned “we can do so much better”.
The Finn was relieved LASK had two goals disallowed before Celtic dismantled the Austrians 3-0 with an impressive attacking performance in Tuesday night’s Champions League play-off first leg.
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Sinisalo’s clean sheet didn’t come easily – he made eight saves – and said: “I think we can be better, as weird as it may sound.
“The big moments went for us and there’s a lot that we can do better. Ultimately, we’ve come away with a 3-0 win so we’ve got to be happy, but I think there’s a lot more to come from the group.
“I don’t need to make that many saves as I’ve done on Tuesday, so that’s got to be the message.
“I didn’t think we were brilliant. We were okay at times and some of the football we played was good, but I think we can be a lot better. They’re a decent side and they’ll cause us problems when we go there.
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“It’s not over. It’s half-time and no one’s getting carried away or ahead of ourselves.”
Sinisalo’s only prior European out came in Celtic’s 1-0 win in Stuttgart as they exited the Europa League last season and he is determined to build on his experience after a special night where the Champions League anthem give him “shivers”.
“It’s a funny one because not many Finnish players play in the Champions League or get that opportunity,” the 24-year-old said. “It’s something you dream about.
“But anything you dream about, once you get that taste of it, you just want more and I’m no different in that way.
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“You hear that, it brings a smile to your face and shivers and stuff like that, but you just want more and want to belong at that level. It’s like anything in life, if you want something, you get something, you just do it again and again and again.
“It’s no different to winning trophies. Once you win one, you just want to win more.”
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