SINISALO MUST CARRY ON PASSING BIG TESTS

PAT BONNER’S Celtic debut was a complete blur but he could clearly see positive signs as Viljami Sinisalo made his Parkhead bow.

- By Michael Gannon

Hoops legend Bonner was in the stands at the weekend as the £1m signing from Aston Villa stepped in for the injured Kasper Schmeichel.

Viljami could be set for a run in the side after the Dane was sidelined with a shoulder injury.

And Bonner is watching with interest to see if the stand-in can fill the void going into the crucial last stages of the season.

The Finnish keeper’s baptism in the 3-0 win again Hearts brought back memories of Bonner’s own introduction for Celtic towards the home straight of the season.

The 64-year-old said: “My league debut was St Patrick’s Day in 1979 in a 2-1 win over Motherwell.

“And, like Sinisalo, I came in for an established keeper in Peter Latchford.

“I was only 18 and it was a fantastic moment for me. I thought I did fine. I’d only come over from Ireland the year before to sign for the club.

“But the game was also a blur. You’re that focused and concentrated. You want to do well, you want to get through it without any mistakes.

“I took a lot of confidence from it. It was a magical day for me, very special, and it gave me the belief I could play for Celtic.

“I had to wait a bit longer to properly establish myself. But once I’d got that first game out of the way it was something to want more and more of.”