JOE HART says he is ready to embrace the challenge presented by another goalkeeper arriving at Celtic amid speculation that manager Brendan Rodgers is looking to recruit competition for the number one position.
The 36-year-old former England goalkeeper has enjoyed a hugely successful spell at Celtic Park so far, and he has been acknowledged by both previous manager Ange Postecoglou and Rodgers himself for the work he has put in to improve his ball-playing ability to adapt to their styles of play.
Celtic though - who also have Benjamin Siegrist and Scott Bain on their books - have been linked with a move to bring in further competition for the gloves, but Hart believes it is inevitable that a club of such size will always be looking to upgrade their personnel in every position.
“The club wants to improve all the time,” Hart said.
“If the club feels it needs strength in every department then of course that’s going to happen. That’s the thing when you’re at clubs like and involved in competitions like we are.
“I’ve been in clubs before where goalies have come in. Of course, we welcome and embrace, we’re a 25 or 26-man squad.
“However this transfer window plays out, we’ll see. We’ll look to win as many games as we can and move forward.”
Hart hasn’t looked for reassurances from Rodgers over his position since the manager’s return to the club in the summer, believing in his own ability to continue to play an integral part in delivering success for the club.
When asked if he had had a sit-down with Rodgers over his role, Hart said: “Not really. We’ve got to know each other more. We crossed paths on and off the field in the past.
“I think the message is clear. We’ve got to get the best out of each other at any given moment and that includes on the pitch, off the pitch – what we can both bring to the team and the squad.
“I’ve made it very clear that I want to help in any way I can.”
