Old dog Joe Hart reckons being part of Ange Postecoglou’s vibrant Celtic makes him feel alive.
But the Parkhead hero knows football offers no future promises. Which means the 36-year-old remains as driven as ever to keep working and improving to maintain his position with the champions.
Hart has 100 reasons for being glad he jumped on a plane to join Celtic. It was August 2021 when the Englishman posted a social-media photo of him on a flight for Scotland to sign. It’s been an incredible experience for Hart who chalked up his century of club appearances whilst winning the title at Hearts. Hart has four winners’ medals in his glove bag already from the spell and, when asked if he envisaged if it would turn out like this when he buckled into his seat almost two years ago, he said: “No I didn’t. But I didn’t envisage it would be better or worse. I didn’t think anything.
“I just thought what a great opportunity, get me on that plane, get me part of this club and let’s see what I can do. Like I say, I didn’t have anything for it to surpass. Don’t get me wrong, that’s not me saying it isn’t special.
“It’s really special to be a part of and I love being part of it and I’m well aware the fact that we winning makes it even better. I’m an old dog in this game and the fact I am having to stay on my toes, still wanting more and trying to improve is a great feeling. And it really makes me feel alive.”
Hart is savouring the success. He enjoyed every second of the celebrations at Tynecastle and said: “They are special moments aren’t they? You can’t take these things for granted.
“It’s an amazing club to play for and to be champions, personally, two years in a row is a great feeling. I’ve never done that before. We had a gap last time we won it down there (England).
“It’s not through lack of effort. Every team that I’ve been in has had good intentions, but I think we have improved, which is a really strong thing to build on having been champions. We have improved from there and everyone has got the attitude that they want to improve, so it is good to be around.
“It’s hard to describe. You just have to be in it because I know from experience tomorrow is just another day and we’ll go again.”
It’s that demand at Celtic which Hart relishes. When a trophy is won, it’s no time for basking in glory. It’s about the next one. He loves it and explained: “Yeah, especially me as an older player.
“When you are younger, I have been successful and you feel like the world is yours and it’s never going to end. But I know we’ll wake up and we are going to have new goals and new opportunities. We enjoy. There is no point in working hard for something if you are not going to enjoy it when you do eventually get it. But then we go again.
“I know nothing is promised in football. It’s really not. Next year is not promised. The cup final is not promised. We are going to have to work damn hard this week because we have a big game for the club next (Rangers).
“But I think it is important to enjoy it with the fans and the team and build on it to try and get as many opportunities to do that again.”
Postecoglou was the man who convinced Hart to make that flight and join him in Glasgow. The keeper has worked with some elite managers and, asked what impression the Celtic boss has made on him, he said: “A huge impression. He’s top. He’s really, really good.
“He’s very clear on what he wants and I think the biggest buzz for me is that I am playing for someone who is pushing me and I’m learning new things every single day. There’s no point trying to compare him or us to anyone else. This is the team we have got and the manager we have got.
“But it’s great to be a part of and great to be constantly pushed and get results from it. It’s all very well, there’s plenty of managers out there who will push and it doesn’t necessarily work or players don’t adapt, but credit to the players and the staff we have been able to pull in the same direction and get results.
“I love being part of that. I have played in different teams that have been successful and identity in football has kind of always been there. But in terms of having a real way of playing, this is the first time that I’ve been a part of a team with a real way of playing.
“We live and die by it. And I love that opportunity. There has been many managers and coaches out there I’m sure who have said: This is the way I want you to play and, if it doesn’t work, it’s on me, it’s on me. I’ve heard that many times.
“But I genuinely feel comfortable making risky passes, short passes. And if someone does miss a pass, or gets tackled and the ball goes in, I don’t think any of us would even flinch because that’s what we are being asked to do, we believe in what we’re being asked to do and we are enjoying trying to get better at it.”
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