Joe Hart

I don’t think enough has been made of how well we played out from the back and through the Real press. Hart was instrumental in it and was calm throughout. Once Real realised we weren’t susceptible to a mistake they didn’t really press as high.

 

Good point to bring up and it was spot on against the huns aswell.

 

Hart has copped a lot of criticism over his ability with the ball at his feet, but he has looked confident and assured at the back. He’s punted long when needed but has fit into the Ange way very well. You are quite right, he was excellent against the huns.

 

I love you Joe Hart

 

JOE HART says playing Ross County gives him as much fire in his belly as facing Real Madrid or Shakthar Donetsk.

The veteran Celtic No 1 admits he was humbled by the ovation the players and manager got despite defeat to Carlo Ancelotti’s Spanish masters last week.




Hart, 35, turned in an impressive performance but was still powerless to prevent the 3-0 loss inflicted by the Bernabeu brilliance of Vinicius Jr, Luka Modric and Eden Hazard.

He believes the fact the 60,000 home crowd stuck around to hail Ange Postecoglou and his men for being brave enough to take the game to Real has provided them with the inspiration to bounce straight back against Shakhtar Donetsk in Warsaw tomorrow night in their second Group F tie.

But the ex-England keeper was also quick to hammer home the point that this isn’t a team who need the biggest stage of all to bring out the best in them.

With a 100 per cent Premiership record and a five- point lead over Rangers, he insists EVERY game counts.




He said: “Going away to places like Ross County or Kilmarnock, that’s what gives me fire.

“I’m gutted we couldn’t get the result for the fans against Real. But this club is a special club when it comes to the support so it really doesn’t need occasions like that for you to feel like you need to give back.

“I feel like as soon as I put this shirt on, I’m in a pretty special place.

“We will work hard and we will have our heads down, and we will see where it takes us.






That’s kind of what Real do, don’t they? They win Champions Leagues like that.

“It’s a tough one for us, we performed well in the game, but the first goal was crucial.

“We’re not going to base our confidence on one game, we’re confident in what we do and we believe in it.

“It wasn’t to be, but we’ve just got to move forward.

“We want to give the best account of ourselves every time we show up — that’s what is asked of us.






That’s kind of what Real do, don’t they? They win Champions Leagues like that.

“It’s a tough one for us, we performed well in the game, but the first goal was crucial.

“We’re not going to base our confidence on one game, we’re confident in what we do and we believe in it.

“It wasn’t to be, but we’ve just got to move forward.

“We want to give the best account of ourselves every time we show up — that’s what is asked of us.




We had sensational support against Real Madrid. The atmosphere was special.

“Look, we’re humans too, I know we’re out there on the pitch and it might look like we’re just footballers and you get a bit oblivious to it.

“But we’re not. We realise it’s a special place.

“We’re obviously pleased with some of the stuff that we did — but we are not going to base that off Tuesday night.”

Postecoglou’s philosophy has won him plenty of admirers, the Aussie adamant that he won’t put a squad he has built with free-flowing forward play in mind into reverse gear, simply because of the opposition’s reputation. And Hart is equally unwavering in his commitment to their style.






With away games to Shakhtar tomorrow and St Mirren on Sunday looming, he said: “We believe because of what we’ve been building and what we’ve been doing every day.

“We just have to perform on the night — last Tuesday night we didn’t ultimately — but we’ve just got to dust ourselves down and go hard again.

“We do believe in what we do. We’ve got a superb manager, we’re all on the same team and we’re ready to go, we’re ready to push.




“And we’re also pushed by this crowd, we can feel it.

“But that atmosphere doesn’t happen if they don’t believe in what we’re doing and we don’t believe in them.




If neither of those things happen, we’re then not able to perform to the levels we did.

“We can’t take away from the fact that we’re disappointed, that’s the main thing.

“Credit to Real, that’s what they do, they are an exceptional, world-class team.

“But we’re just trying to stay in our lane and keep on running hard




Real have been rattled many, many times and won games. They are a bit special when it comes to that, but that is them, and we’ll let them worry about that

We can only worry about us, and we needed a little bit more.”

 

Anyone else think he was suspect at their goal? Was a good strike but he seemed to shrink..

 

Noticed that in the replay. Will need to watch it again though.

 

Needs to do better for the goal, I’ll not overly go off my nut about it though

 

He literally ducked out of the way. Not good enough Joe.

 

I think he could have done better for the goal, looked like he shied away from the ball.

 

To be honest I think he was trying to anticipate the ball going low either side of him and got caught off guard with the ball being blasted at his napper.

I mean, he probably HAD to duck, cannie really afford losing any more hairs on his head…

 

It looks like he's ducked but I honestly think it's his momentum and expecting it to go to his left..

He isn't a shitebag keeper and would usually dive straight at a one on one like that face first. Done it loads. Done one a tiny bit similar last week first half against Madrid off my head..

 

Looks like he ducked out of the way but i think he was anticipating the ball going to his left(low)and was committed to going one way only to try correct himself.

 

Looked like me at the the fives when it’s my turn in goals.

Big man’s got to be saving it.

 

Caught in two minds I think, anticipated it going low then it was too late to adjust. Been "given the eyes" by a clever player.

 

Definitely thought he should be saving it

 

Sometimes that hits off your arm and your praising the keeper for being excellent. Sometimes the player just hits the * so hard you need to duck... nah no really. Just unlucky, guessed wrong like a penalty.

 

Aye a bit disappointing, should of been sticking his face in the way of it instead of ducking. Natural reaction though to be fair.