Joe Hart’s departure from Spurs was rather swift – surprising of, if anything, the keeper’s move to Celtic Park was completed in a matter of days, going from the subs bench at the North London club to Celtic’s #1 in no time.
But the only thing surprising about it for Martin O’Neill was at the actual departure of the former England stopper – with O’Neill claiming it was a big decision to make.
O’Neill, now 69, managed Celtic for five seasons, winning three Scottish Premier League titles, three Scottish Cups and one League Cup; whilst also bringing Celtic to their second-ever continental final in 2003, falling short at the final hurdle against Porto.
But he voiced his shock at Hart’s sudden departure from Tottenham, with the Northern Irishman saying that he was rash in his decision to oust the English shot stopper from the Spurs setup.
Speaking to Stadium Astro, he said:
Sometimes I’m surprised. For instance Nuno has come in and made a big decision on Hart for a start. He wouldn’t really know Hart too well. He’d obviously know of his ability.
There is some substance in what O’Neill is saying; especially for a team that hasn’t won anything in the last thirteen years, Hart would provide invaluable experience after playing for a Manchester City side who won three Premier League titles with him in goal.
But, with the new manager looking towards a more youthful goalkeeping pool by signing Pierluigi Gollini, you can undestand why Hart has departed the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Celtic won’t be complaining – bar his error against Alkmaar on Thursday, Hart has been exemplary in goal for Ange Postecoglou’s side – already doing more in his month at Celtic Park than Vasilias Barkas did in over a year. It just goes to show how much leadership is valued…
