Celtic goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has revealed Joe Hart’s message to him before he joined the club.
He brings a wealth of experience across the divisions, including the Premier League, and has over 370 appearances in professional football to his name.
Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney have spoken of Viljami Sinisalo’s importance to the team, but with Johnstone added, competition has been turned up a notch.
Speaking to Celtic Player, Johnstone revealed how the move to the Scottish champions came about:
“The last few days have been a bit of chaos. I was training at Wolves and heard about it. Got home, went for my medical, packed my bags and got in the car up here. I got here late and was around the training ground on Tuesday, then obviously involved in the game yesterday.”
Johnstone then spoke of his next career move and what his intentions were before Celtic came calling.
“It was up in the air a little bit. If it was right for me and my family, then I was doing it; then if it wasn’t, we wouldn’t have done it”, he said. “To come to a huge club like this is a privilege. We didn’t have to think about it.
The 33-year-old was then asked about his plans to take over from Viljami Sinisalo as first-choice between the sticks.
“That’s the plan for me. We’re here to compete, it’s not a given. It’s down to the manager to choose who plays.
“That’s football – competing. The goalies are close together, we support each other no matter what.
Joe Hart developed a love for the Hoops when he was here and has kept close ties with the club and its supporters. For Johnstone, that message was key in his decision to make the move.
“Joe rang me a couple of days before coming and reiterated how I’ll absolutely love it and what a great time he had”, Johnstone added.
“I was buzzing just listening to him talk about the club. He just helped, not make the decision, but [made me realise] I was making the right decision that this is a top place to be.”
Agent Hart doesn’t shy away from letting others know how special his time was in Glasgow. Perhaps they should be looking to hire him on a scouting basis!
Supporters will be tuned into Johnstone’s path at the club. Whether he displaces Sinisalo soon remains to be seen, but at 33, he isn’t coming here for a holiday.
He was surplus to requirements at Wolves, and will be eager to get back to playing regularly.
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