Since joining Celtic in the summer of 2021, Joe Hart has shown that he still has a lot more to give to offer than some may have believed. While some fans might believe that the club needs to level up its goalkeeper, there is no denying that Hart has been an important asset to the team in his time at Celtic park.
The title winning keeper has a wealth of experience in top-level football, having played for the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and the English national team. He has won numerous accolades during his career, including two Premier League titles.
At Celtic, Hart quickly established himself as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, displacing Vasilis Barkas and Scott Bain immediately. His performances have been solid and reliable, and he has made some crucial saves in important games. You only have to look at the recent game against Tynecastle when he made the pivotal double save when the game was sitting at 1-0 to Celtic.
However, some fans have criticised Hart on occasion, suggesting that Celtic need a goalkeeper we can take us forward for the next five years. But as Celtsarehere podcaster Quinny has pointed out, having a bad goalkeeper or someone so untested can totally change how a season goes. It’s important to remember that a goalkeeper’s primary job is to keep the ball out of the net, and Hart has been doing just that for Celtic.
Maybe even as important as his on-field contributions, Hart’s experience and leadership skills are invaluable to the team. He has been a calming presence in the backline and has helped to organise the defence. His communication skills have also been praised, as he has been seen constantly talking to his teammates and directing the play.
It’s clear that Joe Hart still has a lot more to give to Celtic, both on and off the pitch. As the team looks to win the Scottish Premiership title and make an impact in Europe next season, having an experienced and reliable goalkeeper like Hart will be crucial. While there may be calls to bring in a new goalkeeper, it’s important to appreciate the value that Hart brings to the team and the role he has played in Celtic’s success so far this season.
Ange will know when the time is right to look at other options and you might find he brings in an understudy before too long. Barkas, Bain and Siegrist don’t feel like the long term solution when Joe does bow out of the game.
