JOE HART is backing his old Celtic team-mates to ride out the storm and insists they will “be ready to go” when the Premiership restarts against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park a week today.
The 38-year-old keeper ended his three years at the club by bowing out as a treble-winner at the conclusion of the 2022/23 campaign on the afternoon Ange Postecoglou also had his last hurrah.
The former England international No.1 and the popular Greek/Aussie gaffer brought down the curtain on their Hoops careers with a 3-1 Scottish Cup Final triumph over Inverness Caley Thistle at Hampden on June 3 as the club completed the domestic clean sweep.
Kasper Schmeichel has replaced Hart between the sticks while Brendan Rodgers has returned to take over from Postecoglou in the dug-out.
THE LAST GOODBYE…Joe Hart shows his emotions after the 2023 Scottish Cup Final.
Tumultuous times appear to be ahead for the champions – on and off the field – but Hart, who was in Glasgow for the Celtic Legends versus their Manchester United counterparts fundraiser, is backing the players and the manager to come through.
Asked about the quality of the Hoops after the summer transfer window, the veteran netminder, now a football analysist for the BBC, answered: “Of course, I still have that belief.
“There are so many players I know in there. It’s been a turbulent transfer window for a club that has ins and outs. There’s no getting away from it, especially with it going on now during a season.
“It’s hard. Players will be talking about leaving, players will be talking about coming and there’s so much more in-between as we all know.
“But to have that transfer window closed, you draw a line under it.
“This is your team, this is your squad to go forward and have a successful league campaign, Cup campaign.
“And the Europa League, I know it’s not the competition everyone wants to be in, but it’s still a magnificent tournament to play in.”
THE FINAL FAREWELL…Ange Postecoglou leaves Celtic as a treble winner.
Hart, speaking to the Scottish Sun, continued: “I really believe that this team can stamp its authority on it.
“They’ll have a great talk when everyone’s back in and they’ll be looking forward to that Kilmarnock game.
“And they’ll be ready to go.”
Talk of Rodgers walking away before the third and final year of his contract has resurfaced with reports of friction between the Irishman and the board.
However, Hart has no worries about the manager and his assistant John Kennedy remaining focused on what lies ahead.
The former Manchester City shotstopper added: “Undoubtedly, they’re a top management team.
“But a top management team has to endure tough times.
“And that’s what defines them, that’s what makes them the top managers they are.
A BIG HAND…Brendan Rodgers acknowledges the Celtic fans.
“Brendan keeps his cool, keeps organised. John Kennedy keeps his cool. You’ve got to be able to endure that, especially at a club like this in the transfer window.
“And it’s tough. But you must stick together, you must believe in each other and I’m sure they do.
“But, after the definitive cut-off line of September 1, you know what you’ve got, you know where everyone stands and you can move forward.”
