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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Celtic No1 Joe Hart labels Jack Butland's Rangers transfer 'good move' as he talks 'respect'

Joe Hart has labelled Jack Butland's transfer to Rangers as a 'good move'.

The Celtic No1 goes way back with the Light Blues' summer recruit with the duo set to go head to head this season in the battle for domestic honours in Scotland. The Hoops scooped a Treble last season with Hart picking up five winners medals since moving north of the border.

England cap Butland will hope to taste similar success during his time at Ibrox after penning a four-year deal on a pre-contract following spells with Crystal Palace and Manchester United. He has already got down to work with his new club as they gear up for the new Scottish Premiership season and Champions League qualifiers. Hart admits he is 'happy' his good pal has found a new home as touched on the 'respect' he has for what goes on at both Old Firm clubs. The duo will meet for the first time on the park on September 3 in Govan on matchday four of the new league campaign.

READ MORE: Calvin Bassey three word Cyriel Dessers Rangers message as Leon Balogun reacts to Ibrox transfer

Asked about Butland, Hart said: "It is a good move for him. I go way back with Jack and I am very respectful of the two clubs we play for, so I am not really going to go into it. I am happy he has found a home."

Asked if he had been in touch, he added: "Yeah, of course. We are going to share the same city. I have a lot of respect for what goes on between the two clubs and I am sure he is going to go on and do his thing and I will try to do mine."

On the start to life under Brendan Rodgers after he replaced Ange Postecoglou in the top job at Celtic, Hart said: We've only been together a couple of days down. But look, he's an exceptional guy. I've had run ins with him in the past as an opponent, I actually bumped into him a few times on holiday. He's a lovely person, first and foremost, which is very important.

"He's very successful with a huge drive and he's laid it on the line. He actually stood here in front of us and let us know how proud he was about what we did last year, but that was last year, and we now have to build on it and try and improve and push each other.

"He's super positive, you can tell that he absolutely loves the club. If he was to take his managerial hat off, he's a Celtic fan but he's made it very clear that he's able to separate business and pleasure and we're here to work.

"We're here to be successful, push each other, try and get the best out of each other. He wants to push the young guys, he wants the older guys to help. They are very clear messages and I'm really excited to work under him."

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