JOE HART has been hailed as “one of the best” by St Johnstone keeper Remi Matthews.
The 28-year-old netminder, on a season-long loan at the Perth club from Crystal Palace, admitted the 75 times-capped England international No.1 had been an idol as he embarked on a career in football.
Hart copped some flak last week for an inaccurate pass that brought RB Leipzig their second goal in the Hoops’ 3-1 Champions League loss in Germany and was the first to hold up his hands to accept the blame.
THINK ABOUT IT…Joe Hart has a message for the players in front of him.
However, the 35-year-old netminder has been one of the most consistent performers since arriving in a £1million three-year deal from Spurs on August 3 last year.
And Matthews got a close-up view of his hero’s qualities at McDiarmid Park on Saturday as the visitors staged a remarkable rally to win 2-1 after conceding an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage-time. Seventy seconds later, Giorgos Giakoumakis bundled the ball home for the points-clincher.
However, Ange Postecoglou’s side also had to rely on a superb reflex save from Hart earlier in the dramatic encounter when he swooped to his right to push a netbound effort from Stevie May onto his far post and to safety.
His opposite number, who also numbers Norwich City, Bolton and Sunderland among his former clubs, was not one bit surprised.
MY BALL…St Johnstone keeper Remi Matthews foils Liel Abada with Liam Gordon helping out.
The Englishman said: “Joe Hart is someone I have idolised and it was a pleasure to play against him.
“He makes big saves at important times, that’s what he’s always done. He’s been one of my role models. He’s one of the best keepers in Scotland.
“I spoke to him after and got his shirt, which was a nice gesture. I can’t thank him enough.”
Matthews, speaking to the Glasgow Times, added: “I had always heard good things about him. Jack Butland [Crystal Palace keeper] is good mates with him and he’s always spoken very highly of him
“He brings presence and leadership as well as his ability as a goalkeeper. He was England’s No.1 for a long time.
“Joe was one of the best keepers, for me. He’s been a massive part of Celtic’s success.”
