JOE HART displayed a touch of class even before the kick-off in Celtic’s 3-0 victory over Ross County at Parkhead yesterday.
The 34-year-old former England international No.1 warmed up for the game wearing a specially-made shirt with the name Thomson and the number 90 emblazoned across the back.
It was Hart’s way of paying a touching tribute to the Hoops’ legendary keeper John Thomson to mark 90 years since the young shotstopper’s untimely and tragic passing.
On September 5 1931, the 22-year-old Celt sadly lost his life following an accidental collision with Rangers centre-forward Sam English during a match at Ibrox.
Thomson died in hospital having never regained consciousness after the incident in which he had thrown himself bravely at the feet of the oncoming opponent.
ON THE BALL…Joe Hart in action against Ross County yesterday.
In the first game following 90 years’ anniversary of Thomson’s passing, Hart wore the jersey during the warm-up as the Hoops prepared for the Premiership game with the Dingwall side.
Fittingly, Hart completed the encounter with his third successive league clean sheet at Parkhead sporting the captain’s armband, the third skipper of the day following the substitutions of Callum McGregor and Tom Rogic.
The former Manchester City star also made a stunning save just before Albian Ajeti netted the second goal to ease any anxiety in the capacity crowd.
On the memory of John Thomson, Lisbon Lion Jim Craig, in a report in the Sunday Mail, said: “He started off his career and made the Celtic team quite young.
“They then went on tour in 1931 to North America and when he came back, the first derby game of the new season is when there was the tragic accident that cost him his life.
“Accidents on the football field are common, but not tragic, and that was one of the very few in Scottish football.
”His photograph is still on a wall in the entrance hall at Celtic Park and that shows you that when you think of all the Celtic players there have been, the fact that his photograph is there means that he was someone very, very special.”
* THREE CHEERS AS AJETI HITS A DOUBLE
