Joe Hart has revealed that he is delighted that Celtic have signed another goalkeeper to compete with him and Scott Bain for the number one jersey at Celtic Park this upcoming season. As training has begun in the warm-up to friendly games in Austria ahead of the first match of the cinch Premiership against Aberdeen at home, Hart has witnessed the abilities of Seigrist first hand after watching him from afar at Dundee United and is looking forward to the competition.
Ahead of the opening games in Austria and Czech Republic this pre-season, Joe was full of praise for Benji and cosniders him a sturdy addition to the squad. Speaking to Celtic TV, he said: “He’s been great, he’s a familiar face with what he did at Dundee United. He’s a big welcoming guy and it’s important we work together and appreciate that he’s coming in to make the group better. He will come in and only improve us as a squad and we can only welcome that.”
The former Man City man and English Premier League winner insists it is down to him to be the best he can be at Parkhead and keep a tight grip on that number one spot between the sticks. He continued: “I’ve always had the same mentality that I can only do what I do, it’s not about Ben, or Scott Bain, or anyone else. I can only put myself in the best position and put myself in the best place I can and work to the best of my ability, that’s all I can offer and that’s what I focus on.”
Whilst Hart has been through the mill in his career, having considerable experience at both club and international level, the Englishman asserted the brief that pre-season is essential for any developing group of players as it allows new faces to be integrated and endorses the culture of what the club is all about. He added: “These are great times and moments for the group, a group that’s still fairly new.
“We have a lot of time together to grow and to sort the dynamic and the habits we want as a team. The manager has plenty he wants to implement but we have to do that as players as well and as soon as everyone is pulling in the same direction, then you have a chance to succeed.”
It is this type of mindset and mentality that will ensure we stay on course for next season’s kick-off and don’t let the slightest bit of complacency set in. Ange Postecoglou’s mantra is certainly being instilled in the squad continually and has trusty lieutenants such as the experienced Hart to relay this message every day on the training pitch and during games. The addition of Benjamin Seigrist will only serve to being the very best out of Joe, and in turn, the rest of the group.
🗣 “He’s a big welcoming guy and it’s important we work together and appreciate that he’s coming in to make the group better.”
Joe Hart on new Bhoy Ben Siegrist! 🧤#SuccessNeverRests🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 5, 2022
Paul Gillespie
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