Goalkeeper says keeping calm in the heat of battle can be the key as the Hoops hunt down a third successive title.
But Joe Hart insists it’s an entirely different vibe on the park which is the secret to the Hoops’ hopes as the keeper hailed the lack of “arm throwers” in Brendan Rodgers’ squad. With the pressure at full tilt and grumbles turning to groans then full-on jeers by full-time of Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Ross County, the anxiety levels in the crowd could well have seeped into Rodgers’ troops.
But there was no finger pointing never mind fall outs after an afternoon where missed opportunities could have been costly. Hart says Rodgers and before him Ange Postecoglou have shut the dressing room on any unwanted negative energy during his time in the east end of Glasgow. The veteran shotstopper was forced into action deep into injury time when he threw himself low to his right to grab Jordan White’s scuffed effort at the second attempt to secure the three points.
It could have been so much more comfortable had Luis Palma converted a spot kick which was missed twice – before and after a re-take – or if any one of a number of second half chances had bulged the net.
In the end the Hoops failed to add to Alistair Johnston’s first minute goal. And asked if it was frustrating watching chance after chance go begging at the opposite end while tension grew all around, Hart said: “It is what it is. We keep calm, keep together, we are a team who stick together.
“We are not arm throwers and I love that about us. The last two managers have strongly addressed situations like that. Nobody is getting on each other’s back. Everyone knows each other’s intentions.
“Life is not perfect, football is not perfect but we are putting ourselves in the best position. Ultimately it’s half a compliment for everyone to be so frustrated when we have won.
“Everyone is trying to score and do the right thing. We have guys who are putting all the effort in and sometimes it’s just not meant to be. But sometimes it is – like with Ali’s screamer!
“We’d obviously have liked to score more goals and played a little bit more fluid but it wasn’t to be. Ultimately on a day where we are not over satisfied we have still won three points and we keep pushing.
“I’ve been lucky not to know how it feels to be a fan. Obviously I can feel it on the park and have been part of many emotional situations but as players we just keep our focus, keep playing and I think one of the beautiful things about being in the team for the last three years is you wouldn’t actually know the scoreline because all we do is try to score goals. It’s not as easy as that and that was proven again.”
The spirit in the Celtic squad was exemplified by Cameron Carter-Vickers penning a monster new contract last week keeping him at Parkhead until 2029. Hart’s former Tottenham Hotspur team mate had drawn interest from the Premier League with his stand out performances at Parkhead over the past two years with Brentford, West Ham and Nottingham Forest all monitoring his situation.
But the message sent out by the 26-year-old’s new deal spoke volumes for Carter-Vickers’ dedication to the cause. And with the Hoops putting up the shutters on Atletico Madrid’s moves for Matt O’Riley, Hart is convinced the squad is in a strong position to go and attack the business end of the season.
He said: “Powerful moves. Powerful moves. Cam is a top player and he is loved here, rightly so for the performances he puts in. He does it away from prying eyes as well, he is a top professional. I knew him from Tottenham and he is a pleasure to play with.
“Matt is an excellent player and someone I love playing with and being a part of from a social point of view. When you play at the levels he’s at people are going to be interested. Such is life. But he shows his commitment every single day to what we’re trying to do and long may that continue.”
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