Celtic's Schmeichel 'could've played last game'

"I could've potentially played my last football game. I've been a footballer since the day I was born. It's devastating. It's very, very hard to wrap my head around at the moment. I got the message that it could potentially be the end of my career. By the time I could get back fit I could be plus 40. I'm going to give it everything I can to see if I can get back."

"I'm going to need two surgeries now to fix my shoulder. I've torn the bicep, torn the rotator cuff, dislocated the shoulder, torn the labrum. Everything's gone. To maybe put it into terms you can understand, it's like an outfielder doing his ACL and their Achilles at the same time. It's looking like 10-12 months of rehab."

"Football means everything to me. It's been my whole life, it's been my whole identity. It would be probably one of the greatest feats of my career if I could ever get back from an injury like this. I'm going to fight, I'm going to try everything I can. I'm going to do the rehab."

Kasper Schmeichel, 39-year-old Celtic goalkeeper, suffered a severe shoulder injury requiring two operations this month that may end his career. The Denmark international last played on 22 February and will miss his country's World Cup play-off semi-final against North Macedonia. He has torn his bicep, rotator cuff, dislocated his shoulder, and torn his labrum. Recovery is expected to take 10-12 months, potentially extending beyond his 40th birthday. Out of contract at season's end, Schmeichel expressed devastation but determination to attempt rehabilitation and return to football, describing a potential comeback as one of his greatest career achievements.

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