Gianluigi Buffon has praised the resurgence of Joe Hart at Celtic. The Italian legend believes all Joe needed was a bit of love to show what he was capable of once again.

Knowing the position as well as Buffon does, the Italian stopper is delighted to see the Englishman tearing it up for Celtic. The former Juventus man revealing so many people wanted to write Joe off after some mistakes.

Joe has been part of a new look Celtic side who were not expected to seriously compete for the league title. However, with six games to go in the SPFL the bhoys are six points in front and closing in on what would be a famous title triumph.

As quoted by RecordSport, Buffon said: “The way Joe is playing this season is no surprise to me he has always been a great goalkeeper. He just needed a place to call home again.

“He is a player I watched develop and I saw he had everything that was needed to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

“It was not that long ago that I called him one of the top three or four goalkeepers in the world.

“Along with (Manuel) Neuer, (David) De Gea and (Jan) Oblak, these guys were the next generation who could take over from myself and (Iker) Casillas.


“That player who was No.1 for Manchester City and England didn’t go away. He just needed to find his confidence again.

“I have always said you have to be a little bit crazy to be a goalkeeper because you are so isolated.

“As a defender, you are part of a defence. As a midfielder, part of a midfield. But the goalkeeper is the isolated player on the field.

“You make a mistake and all eyes are on you. That is what happened with Joe.

“He made a couple of mistakes and people just decided he was not top level anymore.

“He needed a bit of love to find his level again and he has obviously got that love at Celtic. The top player is back and it is good to see.”

Celtic had a major problem in goals last season with their big money signing Vasilis Barkas falling well below the standards expected of a goalkeeper at the football club.

Joe has been a breath of fresh air and in a season where we lost so many leaders, the Englishman has been pivotal inside the Celtic dressing room. The players who have come in and the bhoys already in the team respect Joe for what he’s done in the game.

It’s great to see a legend like Buffon recognise Joe’s resurgence and praise the player for getting back to form.

1 COMMENT

  1. So true Joe has seen and done it the Celtic players all understand what Joe brings to the table with great keepers you find they get even better with age and there Positional play makes it look easy and that is some thing that only comes with age….

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