Two Celtic First-Team Players at Risk of Missing Premiership Winner’s Medal
Celtic’s dominant 2024-25 Scottish Premiership campaign has secured them a record-equalling 55th league title, celebrated with a 5-0 thrashing of Dundee United. However, despite the jubilation, two first-team players, Viljami Sinisalo and Johnny Kenny, are at risk of missing out on a coveted winner’s medal due to insufficient playing time, as dictated by strict SPFL regulations.
The SPFL’s Rule C39 mandates that players must feature in at least 25% of league matches—equating to 10 games in the 38-game season—to qualify for a medal. With only a few matches remaining, both Sinisalo and Kenny fall short of this threshold, potentially leaving them empty-handed despite their squad contributions.
Viljami Sinisalo, the 23-year-old Finnish goalkeeper, joined Celtic in 2024 as a backup to Kasper Schmeichel. Despite deputising competently, Sinisalo has appeared in just four league games this season. His maximum possible appearances, even if he plays in all remaining fixtures, would be eight—two short of the required 10. His role has been limited to cup competitions and occasional league outings, with a notable performance against St Johnstone, where he conceded a header to Daniels Balodis in a rare 1-0 defeat. Sinisalo’s lack of minutes underscores the challenge for backup goalkeepers in earning medals at dominant clubs like Celtic.
Similarly, 21-year-old Irish striker Johnny Kenny, who returned to Celtic in January 2025 after a prolific loan spell at Shamrock Rovers, has struggled for league minutes. Kenny has made five first-team appearances, including a debut against Ross County where he assisted Luke McCowan’s goal in a 4-1 win. However, only four of these are league outings, leaving him well below the medal threshold. Celtic’s decision to block a deadline-day loan move to St Mirren, prioritising squad depth with Adam Idah as the primary striker, has limited Kenny’s opportunities to accrue the necessary appearances.
While Celtic’s squad celebrates a fourth consecutive title, the plight of Sinisalo and Kenny highlights the harsh reality of SPFL rules. Both players remain integral to Brendan Rodgers’ plans, but without a rule change or additional minutes, they face the disappointment of missing out on a tangible reward for their efforts in Celtic’s historic win
