Maty Ryan - An ideal replacement for Kasper Schmeichel

Maty Ryan would be an ideal signing and an ideal replacement for Kasper Schmeichel who has clearly played his last game for Celtic…

Maty Ryan of Australia acknowledges the fans after the team’s defeat during the international friendly match between England and Australia at Wembley Stadium on October 13, 2023. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

With Kasper Schmeichel having clearly played his last game for Celtic and Viljami Sinisalo possibly seen more as a ‘back up’ option, an experienced goalkeeper will be near the top of our shopping list come the summer transfer window.

One name has been thrown up in the rumour mill, and that is Aussie shot-stopper Mathew Ryan, a player who has been linked with the club on a number of occasions in the past, once during Brendan Rodgers first reign, and understandably during his fellow Aussie and former national manager Ange Postecoglou’s awesome spell in Glasgow.

Ryan Maty of Australia gives his team instructions during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Group B match between Australia and Germany at Fisht Olympic Stadium on June 19, 2017 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

The 34 year old who currently skippers the Socceroos, and has over 100 caps to his name, appearing at three World Cup finals, as well as being part of Australia’s Asian Cup winning side in 2015, is very experienced and competent player at both international and club level.

When it comes to club level, Maty has quite the CV, having experience of playing in Europes biggest leagues with clubs such as Arsenal, Brighton, Club Brugge, Valencia and AZ Alkmaar.

Ryan is currently on the books of Spanish La Liga side Levante, and is very much a regular starter for the Spaniards, so his quality very much speaks for itself.

Great with the ball at this feet, a terrific shot-stopper, and an all round leader, he’s very much a keeper we should be looking at trying to bring to the club.

At 34 he’s still relatively young in goalkeeping terms, and has about three or four years left at the top level.

Goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel of Denmark in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Denmark and Belarus at Parken Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Folk will be wary due to the decline of Kasper Schmeichel, but Maty Ryan is a keeper very much still in peak condition and operating at the top level and is five or six years younger that the Great Dane.

I would have no worries about recruiting such an experienced and talented keeper as Mat Ryan, if the club are indeed looking in his direction.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy