Ange Postecoglou bigs up Joe Hart influence as temporary Celtic captain

By David Walton

September 29, 2021

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has bigged up Joe Hart for his response to being handed the major honour of temporary captain.

Hart has been the Hoops’ on-field leader during the absence of Callum McGregor with a hamstring injury. CalMac looks like returning to action before the international break, but Hart has continued to impress both on and off the pitch during his absence.

The Celtic goalkeeper continues to be a commanding presence in goal for the Hoops. But he also shows the class of a Celtic captain elsewhere, such as his post-match gestures to the likes of Jak Alnwick and Max Stryjek.

And Postecoglou has moved to big up his response to receiving the captaincy as he talked up Hart’s influence.

Speaking via Celtic TV today, Postecoglou said: “I think he’s been great. He’s obviously a very experienced guy. He’s new to the club and he’s been really respectful of the fact that he’s just come to this football club.

“He also understood when we brought him in that one of the reasons was his experience. The teams we’re putting out at the moment are really young in terms of experience and in terms of age in many respects. So having someone like Joe who’s played at the highest level certainly helps.

“I think he’s doing a good job.”

Joe Hart could easily be a future Celtic captain in the making

He’s taken on his role as vice-captain extremely well. So there’s absolutely no reason as to why Hart couldn’t be a permanent captain in the future. So long as the opportunity arrives at some stage of course.

Not that the Celtic fans will be hoping that McGregor goes anywhere anytime soon. If it was down to them, the current Hoops captain will be at Celtic for life.

However, the one thing the Celtic dressing room didn’t have last season was leaders. There were plenty of personalities and plenty of egos of course. It’s fair to say we had more than our fair share of players who talked the talk but couldn’t contribute anywhere near what was promised.

But now it feels as though Celtic have indeed gotten some leaders back into their ranks again. Hart is only one of them. The likes of James McCarthy should also prove to be a commanding voice in the future, as is Cameron Carter-Vickers too.

Yes, we’re going through a poor patch at the moment. That much can’t be denied. However, can you honestly say we don’t have a dressing room packed with experience and on-field leaders? The figures are there.

And Hart, even this early into his Celtic career, is showing just how big a voice and character he is.

In other news, Jeremie Frimpong on “crazy” Celtic Park message he’s given to Leverkusen teammates