Ronan Hale Lifts Lid on Kasper Schmeichel’s Penalty Mind Games

Ross County striker Ronan Hale has opened up on Kasper Schmeichel’s penalty mind Games, explaining how the Celtic goalkeeper initially put him off from 12 yards on Sunday.

Near the end of the first half, the Staggies were awarded a spot-kick for a blatant Liam Scales handball. The in-form Hale stepped up but was initially denied by Schmeichel.

The veteran goalie played some mind Games and, at the first of asking, got the better of the 26-year-old, who was soon given a second chance.

Indeed, Schmeichel was adjudged to have been off his line when the first penalty was taken. The second time around, Hale made no mistake and rattled the ball into the bottom left corner, breathing a hefty sigh of relief as he put his side ahead.

He has since addressed Schmeichel’s dark arts, even explaining how the 37-year-old tampering with the penalty mark caused a few problems.

“I don’t know who did it [to the spot] but there was a lot of kicking around and there was a divot beside it,” explained Hale (RecordSport).

“It was just all about getting a clean connection.

“Obviously there were some mind Games going on, he [Schmeichel] was just talking about where I was going to put it and stuff.

“He [Schmeichel] guessed right the first time but the second time I think he just stood in the middle and it’s gone in the corner. So, thank God he did. It’s a 50-50 chance he can get his hand on it or it’s going in. Thankfully the second time I did it.”

Hale’s penalty was only the first goal Schmeichel had conceded in the Scottish Premiership since joining Celtic in the summer.

The stopper had completed several shutouts prior to Sunday, where his resolve was finally broken at the second time of asking from the spot.

Hale’s second penalty was too hot to handle, as the Hoops finally lost a goal in the league this term.