
Celtic stalwart addresses controversial Denmark criticism
The veteran Celtic keeper was at the centre of massive controversy in Denmark after a columnist compared his efforts at punching the ball away to a 'child with polio', which sparked outrage, following a Nations League play-off defeat in Portugal.
The Danish Players Union led a wave of revulsion about the comment, which was published in Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet and leading international stars backed the veteran keeper.
It caused his legendary father Peter to vow never to speak to the publication again after an angry outburst about the article outside a church before a funeral.
However, 38-year-old Schmeichel has taken a more relaxed view on it ahead of his country's friendlies against Northern Ireland and Lithuania.
He said: "I haven't read it at all. And I haven't given it a thought because I've had an injury that I had to think about quite a lot.
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"I've said what needs to be said about it. It's part of football.
"You can choose whether you want to listen to it or not. And I learned pretty early in my career that - as much as possible - you should only listen to your manager, teammates and those who know you.
"Football is the greatest sport in the world. It's passion, joy and sorrow. That's everything. With passion, there will always be great emotions and reactions. That's part of it."
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BBC News
27 minutes ago
- BBC News
NI need 'more than one captain' - O'Neill
International Friendly: Denmark v Northern IrelandVenue: Parken Stadium, Copenhagen Date: Saturday, 7 June Kick-off: 18:00 BSTCoverage: Watch live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two NI, listen on BBC Sounds and follow live text commentary & in-play clips on the BBC Sport website Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill says he sees "no reason" to appoint a permanent captain of the side at this stage after discussions with his squad. Jonny Evans retired from international football in August and O'Neill has since rotated through a number of options. Conor Bradley, Shea Charles, Daniel Ballard, Paddy McNair and Trai Hume have all led the side in the past year and the latter will again wear the armband in the friendly against Denmark in Copenhagen on Saturday."It worked well for us in the Nations League, so we've no reason to address it at this minute in time," O'Neill said."What we're trying to get from this group of players is a number of leaders, not just someone that has the captaincy for a long period of time. "The captain wears the armband, but you need more than one captain on the pitch, and I think the way we've handled that and the way the players have handled that in terms of sharing that responsibility has been a positive."Having had the conversations with the players that have had that honour to captain the country, they feel it's a good thing as well." With San Diego FC defender Paddy McNair, who has won 75 caps for his country, withdrawing through injury, Millwall midfielder George Saville is the only player in Northern Ireland's squad over the age of 23, feels the age profile of the squad lends itself to using different players in the role."It's probably easier to share the leadership around the group than it is for one person to take full responsibility," said the full-back who will also lead the side against Iceland in Belfast on Tuesday. "I think as a young group we probably need that. We spoke about it and it's easier to do it that way. "There's a lot of leaders within the team, not just myself."Hume previously captained the team in the Nations League against Luxembourg and Bulgaria in September but said he did not feel the role changed his approach."Obviously, you're wearing the armband, you're leading the team out and you're proud to do so, but I don't see it as anything different than what I would already give to the team and give to the squad," he added. "I'll just take it in my stride and just keep doing what I'm doing."Having gained promotion through the Championship play-offs alongside his international team-mate Ballard, the Sunderland duo will bolster Northern Ireland's Premier League representation next O'Neill's squad, only Liverpool's Conor Bradley and Crystal Palace's Justin Devenny featured in England's top tier during the 2024-25 joined the Black Cats from Linfield when they were a League One side in 2022 having also represented Ballymena United in the Irish Premiership."I think Trai is a great example to all the young players that there is no set pathway or journey to get to be an international footballer," said O'Neill."You don't have to be at Liverpool or Manchester United at 15 or 16 to have that pathway. Trai came down a different route through our own domestic league. "For me Trai is probably more like the lads that used to be in the squad when I was in it. Modern footballers get caught up in a lot of stuff. Trai doesn't seem to be fazed by any of that which is quite refreshing."

The National
27 minutes ago
- The National
Watch: Ex-Celtic man nets to send country to 2026 World Cup
Myung-Bo Hong's side took on Iraq away from home as they secured their place at the tournament, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer. Read more: Oh started on the bench and was introduced at the hour mark. Three minutes later, South Korea took the lead through Jin-Gyu Kim, who was brought on at the break. Ex-Celtic man Oh then sealed the victory with eight minutes remaining, firing home, first-time, from inside the box after a fine low cross. Oh Hyeon-gyu scores his 3rd goal in 5 games to push the KNT lead to 2 and all but seal Korea's 11th WORLD CUP qualification! Jeon Jin-woo debuts for the KNT with an assist! 🫡🇰🇷#오현규 #krcgenk — Joel Kim (@KNTFootball) June 5, 2025 Current Parkhead winger Yang Hyun-jun was an unused substitute in the match. His old teammate, Oh, spent a year and a half in Glasgow's east end, making 47 appearances across all competitions. He was sold to Genk last summer and has found his feet with the Belgian top-flight outfit, scoring 12 times in 41 games. Brought to Celtic by Ange Postecoglou to replace Giorgos Giakoumakis, the 24-year-old never really got going in green and white. His strike against Iraq on Friday was only his third for his country. Up top, Adam Idah is the sole recognised striker currently at Celtic. Brendan Rodgers' desire to sign a new number nine in January following Kyogo Furuhashi's exit was apparent. His wish wasn't granted, though, and Daizen Maeda, rather successfully, was utilised as a striker in the second half of last season. The Scottish Premiership champions have reportedly put a £21 million valuation on his services ahead of the summer transfer window.


Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
NI confirm captain for Denmark friendly as Michael O'Neill continues to share armband
The 23-year-old captained his country for the first time against Luxembourg and Bulgaria in the Nations League last September as part of a committee approach since the retirement of Jonny Evans. O'Neill has also handed the armband to Conor Bradley, Shea Charles and Paddy McNair in recent windows, with Charles and now Hume the only two to have captained the side in multiple international windows. It caps a remarkable few weeks for Hume, who recently helped Sunderland earn promotion to the Premier League by beating Sheffield United in the Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley. The former Linfield and Ballymena United man has also been the subject of recent speculation over his future, with Everton and Wolves reportedly interested, as are several La Liga clubs. The defender has also emerged as a vital cog in O'Neill's squad as they bid to try and return to a major tournament, Hume having made 20 appearances for his country despite his young age.