In a poignant moment for both players and fans, Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart announced at the end of last month that he would be retiring from football come the end of the season.
Centre-half Stephen Welsh admitted how the Hoops’ dressing room was understandably gutted when such news surfaced.
Hart will be a significant loss for the Celts next season. Whoever takes the gloves from the veteran must be an elite ‘keeper, but it will be difficult to replace the veteran’s off-the-pitch values.
Given his experience in the game and what he has achieved throughout his lengthy and prestigious career, Hart’s experience and leadership are invaluable to Brendan Rodgers’ dressing room.
The gaffer has an arduous job on his hands replacing the former Man City stopper, and Welsh has revealed how Hart helps uphold the impeccable standards at the club. “He can get after us as well”, he told RecordSport.
“If we’re slacking off a wee bit, he’s the first person to get us up for it and he’s the first person to praise you for something, too. He’s been great for us.”
The 36-year-old’s spell in Glasgow has been decked in silverware. Hart won five trophies – including a treble – in his first two years with Celtic.
Going into the current campaign’s climax, the ex-England number one will want to go out on a high and end his playing career in the right manner.
