JOE HART was told to SHUT UP by his Celtic team-mates as he apologised for his red card in the 3-0 win over Livingston in West Lothian.
The 36-year-old 75 times-capped England international keeper was sent off for the first time in his career after 737 appearances for clubs and country.
Hart was dismissed just before the half-hour mark by referee John Beaton after an accidental mid-air collision with opponent Mo Sangare. Neither the netminder nor the striker held back as they went for a long high ball.
The match official appeared to give the Celt a straight red card for denying his rival a clear goalscoring opportunity, but it could be argued Liam Scales was in the vicinity to challenge that ruling.
Also, it could also be stated Sangare’s boot was dangerously high as he attempted to make contact with the ball.
RED MIST…Joe Hart attempts to explain his challenge to referee John Beaton who remains steadfast in his red card decision at Livingston.
Beaton, though, was quick on the draw to reduce the champions to 10 men with Scott Bain replacing Hart as he came on in place of James Forrest.
The visitors were leading through a Reo Hatate penalty-kick at the time the experienced netminder was banished and the points were heading back to Parkhead when Matt O’Riley smashed in the second shortly after the turnaround.
Daizen Maeda made certain in stoppage-time with a whizzbang left-foot drive that exploded high into the Livi net.
Hart took to Instagram to say: “What a team performance @CelticFC. Apologies for my red card but team and support showed what they are about … top top mentality.”
Team-mate Alistair Johnston stated: “Joe’s a top-class pro, I think we all know that.
“I don’t think he had anything to apologise for. He’s the first one to put his hands up but everyone was like: ‘Shut up Joe!’.
GLOVE RIVALS…Joe Hart is replaced by Scott Bain as Brendan Rodgers commiserates with the dismissed Celt.
“He’s a great guy and he’ll take it on the chin. The Astroturf just kicked the ball back and caught him out — we’d actually discussed that as defenders.”
The Canadian World Cup defender, speaking to the Scottish Sun, added: “We’ve got to be wary that it’s not necessarily going to skip forwards, it’s going to potentially check back.
“We gave their full-back too much time to put a ball behind us and put Joe in a position where something like that could happen.”
Greg Taylor, Gustaf Lagerbiekle and Liel Abada were among the Hoops colleagues who agreed with Johnston.
Hart will now miss Saturday’s trip to Fir Park for the match against Motherwell where Scott Bain will continue to deputise.
HART SEES RED, BUT MAEDA MAGIC SEALS THE DEAL
