There's an iconic picture that does the rounds of Shay Given in his Celtic kit alongside Gordon Marshall, Packie Bonner, Stewart Kerr and trialist Brad Friedel.
Neither Given, released as a kid, nor Friedel – who didn’t make the cut – would feature in the first-team group shot. Which only left Hoops fans wondering what might have been as the pair emerged as Premier League legends. Celts’ No.1 Joe Hart has gone the other way, making his name down south before becoming the main man in Glasgow’s east end.
And Given is convinced the former England keeper can remain in the Parkhead picture for years to come. Hart has achieved instant hero status as one of Ange Postecoglou’s on-field generals, the move turbo-charging a career that met with struggle at Burnley and Tottenham in the three years prior. And former Newcastle No.1 Given said: “I played against Joe a lot and we were team-mates at Man City. He was the No.1 but Pep Guardiola eventually didn’t fancy him. It was the same for me when Roberto Mancini didn’t fancy me. It happens in football. Joe had to go away and rebuild a little bit. He went to West Ham, had a few moves and things didn’t quite work out.
“But it’s nice to see him really settled in Glasgow, he looks right at home now. Joe obviously has tonnes of ability but he brings that experience and knowledge to the team as well. I’ve got no doubt he’s a massive presence in the dressing room.”
Given reckons Hart may have got a shock on arrival in Glasgow but the demands are right up his street. The 46-year-old, who won 134 caps for the Republic of Ireland, said: “It might have been the case he didn’t quite know what to expect going to Celtic but he would’ve found out within a game or two. He would have seen just how big Celtic is, not just in Glasgow and Scotland but around the world.
“There is huge pressure on you to perform and win trophies every year. The place will be unrecognisable from my time there. I was talking to a few of the guys last weekend about the old Jungle!”
Given didn’t make the grade in Glasgow but savoured a glittering career as a Magpies mainstay before City, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Stoke going into his 40s. Given – who turned out for Celts in a legends clash at Liverpool last Saturday – said: “I played to 41 and there’s no reason why Joe can’t do the same. He’s only a youngster at 35.
“Knowing Joe, he’s so professional and extremely dedicated. He works really hard in the gym and looks after himself.
“It’s clear he’s really enjoying himself at Celtic. He’ll feel the same way we all did and want to play as long as he can because you are a long time retired. It’s things like the game on Saturday, when you see all those Celtic fans behind the goal, that remind you what you are missing.
“But when you look at his performances, there’s no need for him to even think about retiring any time soon.”
Given does get a tad green-eyed seeing his old pal Hart doing the business at Celts. He managed to pull on the shirt at Anfield, a reminder of what might have been if Lou Macari hadn’t pulled the plug.
He said: “I’ve seen the picture of Packie, Gordon, Stewart along with myself and Brad. The one that got away? You mean Brad! I would have loved to have played in the first team. It wasn’t to be and sometimes things happen
for a reason. My contract was up and they didn’t keep me on. I ended up at Blackburn and went from there. If
there had been a different manager or owner, things might have been different.
“I don’t have many regrets from my career but I must admit it would have been nice to play. I played in a few Old Firm games at youth level, in the Glasgow Cup, but I would have loved to have sampled it for the first team.”
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