Joe Hart, in an illustrious career at the top level in football, has played for ten clubs and worked under plenty of top manager’s in his time in the game. So the Englishman is therefore in a decent position to rate his current manager Ange Postecoglou and the comparisons are very favourable indeed, with Hart being a huge fan of the Celtic boss who has got the ‘old dog’ learning new tricks this late in his career.
“He is top, he is really, really good,” the 36-year-old Celtic goalkeeper told the media, as reported by Planet Radio. “He is really clear in what he wants and the biggest buzz for me is I am playing for someone who is pushing me and I am learning new things every single day.
“I’m an old dog in this game and the fact that I am having to do that and stay on my toes and still want more and trying to improve is a great feeling. It makes me feel alive. It’s great to constantly be pushed and get results from it.
“It’s all very well, there are plenty of managers out there who will push and it doesn’t necessarily work, or players don’t adapt. Credit to the players and 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. Identity in football has always been there, but in terms of having a real way of playing, this is the first time I have been part of a team with a real way of playing.
“We live and die by it. I love that opportunity. There’s been many coaches and managers I’m sure out there who say, ‘Look, this is how I want you to play and, if it doesn’t (work), it’s on me’. I have heard that many times. But I genuinely feel comfortable making risky passes, short passes, and if someone does miss a pass or a tackle 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.
🗣 'This is the first time I've been part of a team with a real way of playing'
Joe Hart warns Celtic will 'live and die' by their style of play #CelticFC I #SPFL pic.twitter.com/ftj8QJYcsC
— PLZ Soccer (@PLZSoccer) May 10, 2023
“We believe what we have been asked to do and we are enjoying trying to be better at it.”
Next up for Joe Hart and his Celtic teammates is the Dead Rubber Glasgow Derby on Saturday lunchtime then there are three further games and St Mirren at Celtic Park, Hibs at Easter Road and Aberdeen on Trophy Day before the Scottish Cup Final against Inverness Caley Thistle where Joe Hart can make a little bit of personal history joining on King Kenny in this achievement if the Scottish Cup is won.
But first up is the trip to Ibrox and as it’s the next game that’s where Hart’s focus is at the moment.
“There’s no extra motivation,” the Celtic goalkeeper said. “It’s a huge game for the club. We have pulled together as a group. There’s not going to be any fans inside the stadium pulling for us, but we know around the world…Jeez, we went to Australia in November and felt their presence.
“We know there’s going to be support, expectation, and the least we can do is show up with an attitude to win and play our style of football.”
