Joe Hart has revealed that when he first arrived, Tom Rogic discussed the previous season and how the new crop of players couldn’t let the calamity of the 2020-21 campaign affect their new title charge. Hart spoke of his love for this club’s values amongst other things as he sat down with the Celtic View this week to discuss all things Celtic.
Hart had been one of the major success stories of the season last year, as nobody gave him a chance when he first set foot in Celtic Park. There were many who questioned the sanity of Ange Postecoglou and the Celtic heirarchy for handing Joe a contract, with many of the opinion he had had his day in the sun and was now washed up.
However, Joe never paid any attention to this and neither did Ange or the club and instead saw before them an ex-England number one and winner of the Premier League. As the old saying goes, Joe has had more clubs than Jack Nicklaus. His wealth of experience at the top level meant he was not as much as a punt as others thought.
Sure he made some high-profile howlers – but every goalkeeper at some time or another has made a mistake. Look at supposed Player of the Year, Craig Gordon. Something definitely smells fishy with that one me thinks…
Speaking about this past year and the conversation Tom Rogic had with the group, he recalled (as reported by Daily Record):
“The actual atmosphere is exciting and an amazing thing to be part of, but for me personally being a family man, I’ve loved being able to bring my family, friends and children to a club that values things like that. You see people who have been supporters for years and others that will be fans for years after and those are the things that I really enjoy about the club.
“The atmosphere and support are fantastic, we feel it everywhere we go, but the values of the club are something that hits home for me and something I’m proud to be part of. I’ve loved every moment, but I’ve always loved playing football, fighting for things and being at the top. I love the pressure it brings, cup finals, semi-finals, being close to the supporters, and all that happens here.
“All the things I love about football is what this football club is. Last season sounded tough but you can’t forget the previous nine successful seasons this club had. Tom Rogic said to me during the season that we won’t be defined by what happened last season, we are bigger than that and we have an opportunity to do what we can while we are here borrowing the shirts. Time moves on quickly so you have to take every opportunity as it comes.”
Tom Rogic certainly set the tone with his evaluation of the failed Ten-in-a-row campaign and the need to put it in the past and emerge stronger. We did just that with his and Joe’s help amongst a plethora of others to grab our tenth League title in eleven years. Still a remarkable feat when you think of it were not for a Covid-year playing in empty stadiums we might be on the road to 12 on the bounce!
Paul Gillespie
David Potter’s new book, Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style is featured in the new edition of the Celtic View which is out now and available from the Celtic Stores. You can also pick up the Willie Fernie book there too or order direct from Celtic Star Books, link below…
