Joe Hart

Joe Hart picked up his third winner’s medal as a Celtic player after helping the Hoops retain the League Cup with a 2-1 victory over Rangers at Hampden on Sunday.

The 35-year-old goalkeeper has been a key figure in Celtic’s success under Ange Postecoglou, and he was delighted to enjoy another successful visit to the National Stadium.

Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, Hart admitted that the team needed to show the full range of qualities in order to win the trophy.

“There were moments when we had to be strong, moments when we had to play with quality, moments that we had to keep our heads, and we did, and we ultimately dug in,” he said.

“It could have been more, there’s no doubt about it, but also with respect to the opposition, they pushed us hard and if they had equalised I don’t think it would have been completely against the run of play, but it was a good game to play in.

'There was a lot of heart. We all pull in the same direction, and I think that’s key.'

"Obviously people will look at last-ditch tackles from Cam and Carl, Greg and Ally, but the boys are battling up top – Kyogo and big Oh when he came on, Daizen, Jota, Liel, Haksa – they’re not giving anyone a moment to get their heads up and if they do, they know they have to be quick and they have to be perfect.

“If their ball isn’t good enough, then the boys further back are going to be latching on to it.

 

Honestly that interview from him gave me goosebumps. Think about what this guy has done in football, he’s played at the very highest level, he’s won big leagues, he’s played at World Cups, 75 Caps for England (wanks but that’s still impressive), he’s won 4 Golden Gloves and he was absolutely shook to the core, emotional and found it to be absolutely * special.

A league cup in Scotland. And he was * rocked.

 

Came in to say the same thing mate. * love this big * so much - the way he's taken to the club and how he appreciates what he has here is brilliant.

 

Everything Joe Hart said to the media ahead of Hearts v Celtic Scottish Cup quarter-final tie at Tynecastle

How much are you all looking forward to this Scottish Cup tie?

Yeah, it's a good game for us to play in. It's going to be a tough game and yeah, we're looking forward to it. The squad feels strong and we're good to go.

You only played Hearts a couple of nights ago. What are you expecting from them? Are you expecting something different as Robbie Neilson made six changes for the midweek game?

Look, they've got people that can probably bring in, but we're very much about focusing on what we can do and what we've got available. We know full well it's going to be a tough game and we want to be in the best position to have a good one.

You played in the 4-3 game at Tynecastle last time, I was wondering what you made of it and was that one of the toughest games you've faced this season?

Yeah, it was a difficult game. There's been a lot of tough games this season, especially away from home but like many of them, we've had enough belief in our system and players to find a way. We did that time but every game is different. We put that to bed a long time ago and we've moved on since then and focused on every other next game, if you like. Hearts away is the next one so that's the one we'll have all our focus on.

Given what happened last season, is the importance of the Scottish Cup being raised because in your time here and probably for a lot of the players that have come in since Ange has arrived, it's the only one that's got away so far?

No, not at all. We don't prioritise and we certainly don't take anything for granted. Whenever our guys get in front of you, we're talking about the next game and cliche as it sounds, it is the most important and that's the most important one for us. That's what we all focus is on at the moment. We certainly didn't win the cup last time because our focus wasn't on it. We just got beat. You know in football that happens. We're going to do everything we can to put that right.

Kyogo reached a milestone on Wednesday night of 25 goals this season, I think he said publicly he is targeting 30. He's going to destroy that, isn't he? As long as he stays fit. How many do you see him getting by the end of this season?

I'm loving watching Kyogo play his football at the moment. He's so important for us as a squad. He's a top player. He's a really good guy as well. I'm sure you know he doesn't give a lot away. He's quite a shy character, but he really expresses himself on the football field. He gives the team a lot of joy seeing us making him happy with the runs that he makes. The team put a lot of effort in and defensively, he puts a lot of effort in. Numbers wise it is not for me to comment, we'll see. Obviously football is game by game, but in terms of enjoying playing with the guy, I can't speak highly enough of him.

These games at Tynecastle tend to be quite chaotic at times. Is it really important for the players not to get wrapped up in that and just try and maintain as much a level of control as possible?

I think that's our goal and our aim in every game. Like I said, we put a lot of emphasis and focus on what we can control and that is - us tactically, us emotionally, and I feel like we've got a good relationship with each other that we can kind of stay in the moment and stay in the zone, whatever the game requires. Sometimes the game does require some emotion but we're not robots, but channelled in the right direction and used properly it can help.




I actually only realised this morning that you spent a brief spell at West Ham with Sead Haksabanovic. I just wonder what your memories of him were at West Ham and how he's developed now? How different a player is he maybe from his teenage years back then to now?

I loved him (Sead Haksabanovic) as a player. Respectfully, I didn't know who he was in terms of his background, but I loved him straight away as a person. He's a really hard working guy, really humble guy with a great edge to him and he starred often daily in training, especially under Slaven Bilic. We all felt like he had a huge future at West Ham. David Moyes then came in and had different feelings towards him and a few of us but that's football. That's how it works. He's gone out, he's worked hard and I was really, really happy to hear and see that he was going to be linked with this club to see his development. I'm not surprised that he's at the level he's at. Like I say, he's first and foremost a really hard working player and there's an awful lot of talent. There's a lot more to come




It was mentioned that it can be quite chaotic at Tynecastle. Do you enjoy the atmosphere? The fans are kind of right on top of you, is that something you relish when you go there?

It's a good footballing venue, that's for sure. It's a good place to play, a lot of passion, a lot of support for the home team. Again, we're very lucky to play at this club and have the travelling support that we get. We feel confident and strong in terms of support everywhere we've gone, even to stadiums where COVID was an issue. Even when COVID was an issue, we had people supporting us outside the stadium. As potentially passionate as the home crowd can be, we always feel like the supporters have got our backs.

Are you expecting this to be one of your busier games for Celtic? Do you prefer that type of game when you're more involved?

I don't know. It's a tough one to answer. I get why people probably presume that I'm not necessarily involved in our more comfortable wins, but I feel like the way that we work as a team that I'm always kind of on the edge of the game, in some ways, be it with positioning or with feet, or with saves. Often I think it's a fair point that I don't have to make many saves when I play for this team and that's credit to everything that everyone in front of me is doing. Obviously we want to keep that up. I think the less busy I am in terms of saves, the more successful we're going to be. I'm obviously going to be ready if required.

 

As much as I'd like another keeper to proper challenge him and eventually take his spot, can't help but love him and think his experience is massively important.

In an ideal world we'd get Barkas and Bain out the door, send Siegrist on loan to put him in the shop window and bring in a proper quality youngster to play the cup games, learn from Hart, then take over as number one from 24/25. Keep Hazard for HG purposes if he's happy to stay.

 

How Joe Hart can match Celtic and Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish and keeper's Colin McMenamin memory
Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart would match the trophy-winning feat of one of this country’s most decorated footballers should he get his hands on the Scottish




Kenny Dalglish is the only Celtic to player to have won all six of the major trophies in Scotland and England on offer, snaring the Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup with Celtic before going on to take the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup in England with Liverpool. Former Rangers winger Andrei Kanchelskis also did it with the Ibrox outfit and Manchester United. Hart has five of those medals under lock and key and is three matches away from the full set. His time at Manchester City brought with it all of England’s domestic honours and since arriving at Celtic Park in the summer of 2021, he has won the Premiership once and the League Cup twice.

Hart came close to landing the Scottish Cup last season before Celtic’s exit at the semi-final stage against Rangers. Back in the last eight of the competition this season, it is Hearts standing in their way at Tynecastle Park on Saturday lunchtime. Hart isn’t counting any chickens before they are hatched, though.



Really?” the former England stopper responded when it was put to him about what he would achieve by winning the Scottish Cup. “Yeah, but there is a long way to go – as last season showed. We got to the Scottish Cup semi-final and it just never happened for us. We are at the quarter-final stage right now and I would love to be having that conversation with a medal around my neck at the end of the season. But until then, I'll just say there is a long way ahead right now


Celtic defeated Hearts on Wednesday at home 3-1 on league duty but were given an early scare when Josh Ginnelly scored the opener for the Jambos. "They are a decent team and could make some changes from the other night,” continued Hart. "They are on a good run of form but we feel good as a squad, and hopefully we can have pretty much everyone available. We made some changes the other night but we showed that it doesn't matter who plays, as a squad we are all in the same space. We all have the same fitness levels and the likes of Tony Ralston and Alexandro Bernabei did so well considering they had a spell out. We just concentrate on ourselves and play the game as it comes.”

Hart has been steeped in the magic of a cup from a young age. He made his FA Cup debut for Shrewsbury back in 2005 against Braintree Town, with former Gretna striker Colin McMenamin scoring for the Shrews. "I remember the game, it was at home and we won after playing really well,” smiled Hart. "Colin scored an early penalty and we are still in touch. I have met him up here a few times for coffee.

 

Takes a bit of stick but outstanding the one time he had to be, was an incredible double save.

 

It was.
Back on song today. Restored my faith in him.

 

His double save was outstanding. Excellent reactions!

 

Supreme human being.

 

This first half save at 1-0 was on par with saving a pen (many on here accused him of not having enough of them...)
Who knows what could've happened had we gone to 1 each.
We'd seen the game dynamics changes plenty of time in the pass... (i.e. the huns game)

 

I like how he gives it to officials like he's above them. Done it loads of times come running to refs going mental..

Shows a glimpse his leadership and personality of what he's like in the dressing room..

 

Highly doubt his eventual replacement will be as good a shot stopper as he is. Ball-playing ability is another story.

 

Want him to have one last crack at playing in the champions league next season, he deserves it.