Joe Hart has reflected fondly on his spell at Celtic, revealing he never considered extending his playing career elsewhere after bringing the curtain down on his time at the Hoops.
The former England goalkeeper arrived at Celtic in the summer of 2021 after being recruited by Ange Postecoglou from Tottenham Hotspur.
At a stage when many questioned whether his career at the top level was coming to an end, Hart re-established himself as a key figure for the Hoops, lifting seven domestic trophies, including three Scottish Premiership titles.
Looking back on his Celtic journey during a BBC Sport Q&A, Hart admitted the move came at exactly the right time.
Celtic will always be special to Joe Hart 🫶 pic.twitter.com/fxP7utbiS6
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 7, 2026
“There’s no shoulda-woulda-couldas with Celtic. That place just felt right. Everything about it.
“To get the opportunity to go first and foremost, when football was about to turn its back on me, was one of the best last lifelines that I ever was given.
“I thought I had life left in me. I really did think I had life left in me, and I knew that it was a difficult place to go to prove myself, you know, because Celtic demands excellence, and from what they could see, I was on the bench at Spurs, and they didn’t necessarily want me to even be on the bench anymore.
“So, for whatever my career was, that was my current situation. So I had a lot to prove, and I knew that. And I knew this football club wasn’t daft. And the way the relationship grew, I honestly couldn’t have asked for more.
“I didn’t want to play for anyone else.”
Hart also explained why he felt the time was right to retire, despite believing he was still capable of performing at a high level.
“I had life left in me. I was 37. There’s no doubt I was physically capable of carrying on, but I didn’t want to play for anyone else after that amazing opportunity that I was given.
“To have that last home game and the Green Brigade’s farewell that was given to me after half-time when I walked out, I swear, I never… I still feel it now.
“So, I think I’ve said it enough about what it means to me, so, forever grateful.”
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