Twenty years ago this week Joe Hart sought special permission from his teachers at Meole Brace School to dodge class and go sit on the bench for his local football team.
Back then the 15-year-old goalkeeper felt like he’d scaled Everest in his footballing journey as he jumped on the Shrews’ first team bus for the 200-mile trek ahead of a 1-1 draw in League Two. Little did he know. Two decades, 75 England caps, two World Cups, seven major trophies and over 700 appearances at club and country level later .. Hart could be forgiven for thinking he’d conquered it all.
But as he reflects on the day he skipped school for his first ever taste of pro football, the Celtic keeper insists he’s still a serious student of the beautiful game. And that is what keeps him young and hungry in the quest for even more success. Reminded of the milestone ahead of the Hoops’ trip to face St Johnstone tomorrow, a delighted Hart said: “That’s a great stat .. great work! Exeter away, I had to come out of school for that. That’s awesome. That’s made me smile that. That’s cool.
