Joe Hart can join Kenny Dalglish in having achieved something very rare indeed in football on this island, if he can collect a Scottish Cup winners medal at Hampden this season. Hart has already won a Scottish title and two league cups so far in his time North of the border and a Scottish Cup winners medal would complete his Scottish collection which he can add to the complete set that he won in England with Manchester City.

Kenny Dalglish of course won all three Scottish medals winning the league Championship, league Cup and Scottish Cup as a Celtic player before repeating the trick South of the border with Manchester City.

Kenny Dalglish goes up to lift the Scottish Cup after the 1-0 win over Rangers in the 1977 final. It would be his last trophy win as a Celtic player.

It’s a nice thought for Joe Hart but it’s one he’d only really appreciate fully if and when that Scottish Cup medal is around his neck and he has been in the game long enough to know that nothing can be taken for granted. Today Hart knows Hearts provides a significant challenge and he knows from bitter experience from last season how difficult a task it is winning in the Scottish Cup semi-final, so there’s plenty of ultra-competitive football to be played before Hart even has the chance to complete the set in the final.

“Yeah, but there is a long way to go, as last season showed. We got to the Scottish Cup semi-final and it just never happened for us,” Hart told the written mainstream media yesterday, as reported by David Friel at Scottish Sun.

“I would love to be having that conversation with a medal around my neck at the end of the season but until then, I’ll just say there is a long way ahead right now. Hearts are a decent team. They are on a good run of form but we feel good as a squad and will concentrate on ourselves. We made some changes against them the other night but we showed that it doesn’t matter who plays, we are all in the same space.

“Tynecastle is a good gaff to play football in. I like the set-up and how close the fans are. Passionate is one word to describe how they are when we are in town. But we are so lucky to have our fans behind us wherever we go and we don’t take that for granted. We will be really well backed by our amazing away support. That’s a great thing,” The Celtic goalkeeper said.

“I relish these occasions but you’d do well to have a conversation with me before a game and walk away thinking I wasn’t pumped for the game. But the Scottish Cup is a big thing and there is a lot on the line in this game. That does heighten the tension and makes it more exciting.

“I do remember watching the FA Cup a lot when I was younger and it always carried a lot of weight. We didn’t have Sky Sports when I was growing up so when it was live on terrestrial channels, it was a chance for me to watch serious football. With Shrewsbury Town, that was also our chance to play against bigger teams.

“I always enjoyed the FA Cup before I was playing and when I started out. I remember that first game against Braintree, it was at home and we won after playing really well. Colin McMenamin scored an early penalty and we are still in touch. I have met him up here a few times for coffee.

“The feeling this weekend will be the same for me as it was when I was playing for Shrewsbury against Braintree. I didn’t know it was a skill back then but I have always been a player who stays present and just enjoys every game as it comes. I have been lucky enough to play for clubs where there is an awful lot on the line, and a lot goes into every game. Be that a top-of-the-table clash, staying ahead, chasing someone down, or competing for a trophy, it’s great to be part of it,” Hart said.

Hart also noted that Celtic went behind against both St Mirren last Sunday and Hearts in midweek but refused to panic, instead relying on playing their football. “It is unusual for us to do that — but that’s football. The St Mirren goal was a penalty and the Hearts goal was a really good one. That can happen. We could go 2-0 or 3-0 down, unless we stop that by being on our game.

“What’s important is that we never panic. We keep playing the game like it’s 0-0. If you watched us and didn’t know the score, I don’t think you’d be able to tell because we always play the same way and that’s a positive.

“Whether we are 5-0 up or 4-0 down, we have the same energy, pressing and intent to score goals.”

Hart was full of praise for Kyopgo in his media conference with the broadcast media, which includes Celtic fan media participation, which we reported on yesterday and he continued that praise in his interview with the mainstream written press.

“Kyogo is great — a top player. But he’s also a top guy to have in the dressing room, very quiet and very humble. He works so hard for us and the energy he gives to the team, offensively and defensively, is priceless. We love having him, we love producing goals for him and we love seeing him happy,” Hart said of his Celtic teammate.

“Hopefully he keeps producing the goals but he is also one of the guys who starts the defensive press too. That is just what is expected in this team. Those are the standards and the energy the manager demands — and they all do it.”

Matthew Marr’s debut Celtic book – ‘The BOULD BHOYS – Glory to their name’ comes out on to Friday 24 March. Thanks to everyone who has ordered since we announced the book on Monday evening via an interview with the author. Please note that all pre-ordered books will be personally signed by Matthew Marr and you can order below if you’d like a signed copy posted out to you 24 March.