Joe has been a brilliant signing for us. I remember when he was linked with us there were a few fans questioning him on here because Pep had replaced him at Man City because he wasn't good enough at playing out from the back with his feet. I argued that not being good enough for a side aiming to win the Champions League did not mean he wasn't good enough for us.
Personally I think he really would have been a real star in world football 15-20 years earlier when goalkeeping was all about shot stopping before the sweeper-keeper role became king. But then he would never had needed to come to Celtic.
Joe has come across as a very articulate leader and winner. He has been a great influence on his teammates and also always goes out of his way to encourage opponents too. His instant reaction to saving the tie winning penalty against Aberdeen was to go and commiserate with the opposition goalie.
Personally I thought his performances had dropped off early this season. Possibly due to the constant chopping and changing of our defence. But he has returned to his highest level again since he announced his forthcoming retirement. He has eliminated the silly mistakes that had started to creep into his game and some of his vital saves have been crucial to our current run of results.
I think Celtic have been as good for Hart as he has been for us. It hss allowed him a bit of salvation and more success late in his career when he must have thought those glory days had gone forever.
Thanks Joe. You will always be welcome to return anytime. HH