Viljami Sinisalo happy to emulate Joe Hart as Celtic keeper reflects on 'surreal' 12 month journey to Hampden

A year on the day he runs out in Mount Florida the keeper was helping Exeter City win at Northampton in England's League One

Viljami Sinisalo is set to complete a surreal 12-month journey from Sixfields to the dream field of Hampden.

And the Celtic keeper admits he’d be happy to emulate Joe Hart on the big stage and take a penalty if Brendan Rodgers’ side are again pushed all the way in a semi-final.

Sinisalo is heading to the National Stadium exactly a year to the day after helping ex-Celt Gary Caldwell’s Exeter City survive in England’s League One with a 2-1 win at Northampton.

It’s a completely different set of circumstances now as Celtic face St Johnstone in the hunt for a Treble. Survival to success is quite the leap, but Sinisalo believes all career experiences have been vital in building towards tomorrow’s crunch clash.

The Finn reflected: “It’s been a big year. I remember that game, we won 2-1 with a man down at Northampton.

“We were 1-0 up at half-time and they equalised in the 70th minute. So you’re thinking ‘OK, it might be a long 20 minutes’. We ended up winning to secure safety.

“It’s probably a different type of game than most here at Celtic, but all these experiences make you the keeper you want to be one day.

“You fast forward to now, where I am, the club that I’m now part of, it’s probably something I’d say is surreal in a way.

“Obviously, I’ve been at clubs before where you’re scrapping relegation and you’re really fighting. It’s a different type of pressure to now, winning things and stuff like that.

“These are the learning experiences everyone always says about going on loan and playing games that really matter, that people have really big things on the line, like relegation or winning leagues.

“It’s something you definitely learn from and try to be better from each one of them.

“I’m just trying to take it in as we go. I’m enjoying every minute. This opportunity of playing has been great for me, I’ve loved it. The more you play, the better you get, that’s what I’m a big believer in. It’s been a great start.”

It will not be the keeper’s first outing at Hampden having come on as sub for his country against Scotland last June.

Sinisalo replaced crocked Jesse Joronen in the 2-2 draw against Steve Clarke’s side in their pre-Euros friendly.

The keeper said: “It was great. I wasn’t necessarily expecting to come on and I’ve had a tap on the shoulder in the dressing room right before I’ve come on.

“It all happens quite quickly. I get into the game, there’s an early save and then obviously Scotland go 2-0 up.

“You’re thinking ‘I’ve just come on here and I’ve conceded two’. But we managed to get a 2-2 and a few decent saves towards the end. I’ve got fond memories of Hampden. I loved playing there.

“I’ve been on the bench the two times we’ve played there previously this season and now, obviously, I’ve got a chance to put the jersey on there myself. I’m very much relishing that opportunity.”

Sinisalo had an inkling it might not be his last visit to the city that summer as he revealed: “I’d just come off the back of having a season at Exeter and it was only nine days later we played against Scotland.

“I probably knew of some interest, probably seen something written or something.

“But it was very much me trying to just do my best and if something happens, then something happens.

“Let’s say it probably didn’t do any harm playing against Scotland and four or five weeks later, I found myself signing for Celtic. So it really happens quite quickly.”

It’s Kasper Schmeichel and not Joronen who Sinisalo is deputising for at Hampden and he’s prepared for all challenges.

In last year’s semi-final against Aberdeen, Celtic were forced to go all the way into a penalty shoot-out.

Keeper Hart took one of the spot-kicks and Sinisalo won’t shy away from the duty having had some practice kicks at Lennoxtown.

Sinisalo said: “I watched that game actually and I know how Harty obviously missed and then went on to save the penalty. If I have to take a penalty, I’ll take a penalty.

“I’m sure there’ll be lads taking it before me, but I’ll try and stick to saving them and if it comes to it, I’ll take it. But we’ll see if we get to that.

“I actually just had a couple there on the pitch just to practise a little bit. Every goalkeeper, I’m sure, has sometimes practised or taken one.

“I have [taken one] actually for Finland Under-16s against Spain, I’ve taken one in a penalty shoot-out.

“I did score, yeah. Saving penalties is more important than scoring them. There’s so much in football nowadays. But it goes the other way as well.

“Attackers know that keepers are thinking about it. It’s a bit of a mind game. So yeah, let’s see. If I have to save some, I’ll do my best to try and do so.

“It’s great to play in such a big game. Every game at Celtic is huge and we’re trying to do the best we can and hopefully get ourselves into a final.

“I’ve played in the FA Cup, Scottish Cup before with Ayr. No winners’ medals if you don’t want to count the League Cup. Got that with Celtic here.

“But it’s a great opportunity. Every single footballer wants to play in these games, so we are very much looking forward to that.”