Defiant Joe Hart has warned his Celtic teammates against complacency as they get set to go again this season. And the experienced stopper admits the clock ticking down on his career means he's more motivated than ever to keep the trophies flowing in.
Hart was a key part of Ange Postecoglou 's side last season as they charged to the Premiership crown and qualified for the Champions League. But Hart is all too aware that the competition is going to step up next season, with Rangers out to catch them domestically and a place waiting for them at European football's top table.
The former Manchester City stopper, currently on his way to Austria for pre-season with his teammates, knows his side can't let their standards slip after a terrific campaign last term. And he's urged them to keep it going and enjoy an even better season next term.
Hart stated: "I don't think we can get away from the fact that the only reason we had success last year was because we were united. It was because we worked so hard. The manager made that point every single time. Whether we ground out a 1-0 or won 7-0, the analysis after was how hard we worked. It was how hard we pushed each other, how we didn't give the opposition a chance to breathe.
"The moment we step away from that is the moment we don't come back from pre-season happy. We come back because we are having to re-establish something that happened in the past.
“I am super aware of it and that comes with age. That comes with me knowing full well I've not got as long as I once had in the game. So I'm going to try and take every little thing I can from it.
"I love football and the opportunity to play. I have really enjoyed being here and we are back at it. Hopefully we have another good year ahead."
Celtic headed out to Austria for the start of their pre-season trip that will also see them sign off in the Czech Republic. The Celtic squad have some new faces, including Alexandrio Bernabei, while Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota have signed full-time deals in the Hoops.
Hart has some new competition of his own to keep the gloves. Dundee United keeper Benjamin Siegrist has come on to put pressure on him along with Scott Bain. Hart, speaking to Celtic TV, admitted: “Yeah, (Siegrist) has been great. He’s a familiar face with what he did at Dundee United. He’s a big, welcoming guy.
“I think it’s important that we all work together. We appreciate everyone coming in is coming in to make the group better.”
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