Alloa Athletic striker Conor Sammon has hailed Celtic hero Joe Hart for his big first-half save that “changed the game massively” on Saturday.
The Hoops edged into the Scottish Cup 5th round thanks to a narrow 2-1 win over the Wasps at the Indodrill Stadium. Goals from Giorgos Giakoumakis and Liel Abada would prove enough to get the job done.
Granted, it didn’t come without its scares. Sammon had an ambitious 45-yarder fly just over whilst he also scored late on with a close-range header. However, he fluffed a big chance at 1-0 when Hart made a superb one-v-one stop to keep the Hoops in front.
And Sammon has highlighted that particular moment as the game-changer as he took time to praise the Hoops stopper.
As quoted by the Glasgow Times, the Irishman said: “Hart made a great save. Things like that can change the game massively. I think I have actually caught it too well. I have struck it really, really clean. It was probably one of those where I needed to scuff it into the corner or through his legs, something like that.
“We knew coming into the game that Celtic were going to have a lot of the ball. They have shown they are a very good footballing team from the start of the season. But we had some great chances as well and their keeper made some good saves.
“In the second half we pushed them, got the goal and made it a nervy last 15 minutes or so for them. The lads are frustrated, but we have got a lot to be proud about.”
Conor Sammon couldn’t get the better of Celtic stopper Joe Hart
Hart came up big for Celtic once again on Saturday night, there really is no getting away from it. The most crucial stop was indeed the one-v-one against Sammon too. Had that gone in and our deficit wiped away, it could’ve led to a much more nervy affair.
In fairness to the Hoops, at no stage in the match did you ever think we weren’t progressing. Even after Alloa got themselves back into things, we regained controlled possession and saw the game out with relative ease.
Hart did his bit as he’s continued to do all season. Even at a ground like the Indodrill Stadium – a venue that would bring the biggest personalities in football back down to earth – Joe was his usual, professional self.
If there’s one player who’s been representing value for money at Parkhead then it’s Hart. It’s incredible to think we were able to take him from Spurs for a measly £1m [Sky Sports]. It’s perhaps our best bit of business this season pound for pound.
What’s been even more impressive is that he’s been injury-free since he arrived in Glasgow. Despite Ange Postecoglou suffering form a host of short and long-term knocks, Hart has continued to be available with an infectious determination to be a success here.
The first 6 months couldn’t have gone any better. Here’s hoping the next 5 are even more profitable.
In other news, Celtic player hammers Barry Ferguson’s Alloa after his experience on Saturday
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