JOE HART is already a big noise at Celtic after his £1million arrival from Spurs last month.
The 34-year-old former England international keeper capped his third successive Parkhead Premiership clean sheet with the captain’s armband after the 3-0 win over Ross County.
Hart, who agreed a three-year contract at the Hoops, also kept his goal intact in the six-goal drubbings of Dundee and St Mirren in the east end of Glasgow.
The veteran netminder made a crucial save against Malky Mackay’s Highlanders with Ange Postecoglou’s side leading 1-0 through Cameron Carter-Vickers’ deflected opener on his first appearance since his loan switch from the north London club.
WHAT A SAVE…Joe Hart dives to his left to push away Dominic Samuel’s close-range header.
Hart was left exposed when a ball was chipped over from the left to allow the unmarked Dominic Samuel a clear header from six yards. The former Gillingham striker made perfect contact to send an effort arrowing in at the keeper’s left side.
However, the former Manchester City No.1 managed to anticipate the movement and he threw himself across his line to push the ball to safety. Only moments later, Albian Ajeti headed in the Hoops’ second and the side were on their way to three points.
Hart’s save drew a massive compliment from the thwarted Samuel who told The Scotsman: “It was one of those frustrating games where you have to put away chances like that.
“As a striker, you always want to be putting those situations into the back of the net.
“I thought I would just get a connection on it and use the wet surface to let the ball skid into the goal.
“Joe Hart’s a very good, experienced goalkeeper and he got down early. There was not much more I could have done other than just let it hit the target.”
WHAT A SAVE…Joe Hart gets a toe to an early effort from AZ Alkmaar to prevent Celtic going behind at Parkhead.
The last line of defence accepted the captain’s armband when Tom Rogic, who had taken over as skipper following Callum McGregor’s withdrawal, passed it on before he was substituted.
It’s clear that Hart is a vocal member of the squad and has plenty of advice to impart during a game.
His experience will also be invaluable when Postecoglou’s men take on Real Betis in the opening Europa League Group G encounter in Seville on Thursday night.
At long last, it looks as though Celtic have found a replacement for Fraser Forster.
