England No.1 Jordan Pickford has heaped praise on Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart, who will retire at the end of the season. While Pickford will hope to be involved in a successful summer with England, he admitted that he hopes that Celtic can finish the season with success to toast off Hart.
Speaking to Talksport, the Everton goalkeeper said that he idolised Hart and said that he can see why Celtic fans love the big goalkeeper.
“He was someone I looked up to massively. The pathway he went on, going from Shrewsbury to Birmingham to Man City and to get England’s No.1 and 75 caps and playing ten to twelve years for Man City doesn’t come for nothing.
“He has had a great career. Hopefully, he will go out on a high. I can see why the Celtic fans love him as well.”
Pickford was Hart’s successor as No.1 for England, playing under Gareth Southgate. Hart lost his place in the national set up during a period of struggle between Pep Guardiola arriving at Man City and the top keeper arriving at Celtic. Spells with Torino, West Ham, Burnley and Spurs saw the player lose a large amount of his confidence. Although, it was clear when he arrived at Celtic, he was a leader and was still quality.
Since then, Hart has won five trophies (including joining the elite company of being a player to win all domestic honours in Scotland and England). It will be a big loss not only to Celtic but football for Hart to hang up his gloves but he is doing so on his terms.
