Brendan Rodgers has confirmed his top priority this summer in the transfer market. The Celtic manager has had advance warning from his goalkeeper Joe Hart that the veteran Englishman is going to hang up his gloves at the end of the season.
Sums up Joe Hart
That leaves the Celtic manager with a mammoth task of replacing a top professional who has been absolutely magnificent during his three years at the club both on and off the park. Indeed the photograph we’ve just featured on Celtic Shorts sort of sums up Joe Hart’s contribution to the Celtic cause.
Kyogo finally ended his mini goal drought that was obviously on his mind when he scored in the closing moments of Celtic’s 4-2 win over Livingston. As the Celtic players fulfilled their post-match walk around the stadium to show appreciation for the support received, Hart took the Japanese striker in an emotional embrace.
This perfectly illustrates the extra qualities Joe Hart brings to this Celtic squad. The players look up to him and get on brilliantly with the popular and highly respected veteran keeper.
The shadow of Barkas
Brendan Rodgers has that to replace and the goalkeeping situation the summer of 2020 will also cast shadow over Celtic’s deliberations with £5m having been wasted on Vasilis Barkas, who frankly was never in the same league as Joe Hart.
And Brendan Rodgers has hinted previously that he may actually need to sign TWO goalkeepers this summer as one or both of Ben Siegrist and Scott Bain may wish to leave in order to get first team football. Neither it seems are regarded as anything other than a back-up by the Celtic manager.
That personality, confidence and feeling
“It’ll be a big one and it’s important,” Brendan said, as reported by Glasgow Times. “You need players with that mentality and character. Joe’s been absolutely massive in his time here. He’s been here for three years and has been immense.
“That position is always key. As a Celtic goalkeeper, you need to have that personality, confidence and feeling of what it takes to play for a big club. It’s a big job for us to replace him.”
Joe Hart has all of those attributes and more and that’s why he’s been such an important player since arriving from Tottenham where he was essentially surplus to requirements.
And while Joe Hart has been great for Celtic, he’d be the first to tell you that Celtic has been absolutely brilliant for him. Celtic gave him back his love of playing football and everything about Celtic suits Joe Hart perfectly.
Others like Barkas for example just couldn’t handle playing for club as big as Celtic. Joe Hart in contrast has relished every single minute of his time playing for Celtic.
