Joe Hart has admitted he never expected to be playing Champions League football again as he prepares to make his return with Celtic.
The 35-year-old shot stopper helped fire Ange Postecoglou’s side back to the world’s biggest club competition last season by lifting the Scottish Premiership title.
And with the group stage draw taking place later this week, there is a feeling of excitement building with the Bhoys set to take on some of the best teams on the globe.
Having played at the top level for several years, Hart is the most experienced face in the Celtic dressing room and has shown his leadership skills during his first 12 months in Glasgow.
During his 19-year career, the Englishman has also had plenty of Champions League experience, reaching the semi-finals of the competition with Manchester City.
Over five years on from his last appearance in the competition, Hart cannot believe he is set to make a return, admitting that he did not expect to play on this stage again.
However, the former England number one has also stated his excitement at getting that opportunity with Celtic, insisting that this is where the club want to be.
He said [Sun Sport]: “You know what, it’s crazy. There’s so much going on, and you don’t even know who’s going to be in it yet.
“I live right in the moment, and even when it’s drawn, you’re not going to be playing them for a couple of weeks. But it’s a great time. It’s where the club wants to be, and it’s also where we want to be as players.
“There’s all sorts going on when you play for this club. So you’ve really got to stay in your lane and stay focused. They’re definitely good times for me.”
He continued: “I can probably liken it to the first time I was getting in the Champions League when I was 23 — you just expect the world to keep giving.
“That was how I felt at the time, whether that was wrong or right. But I just wanted more, and I felt like I could go and take on the world.
“Definitely, I’m at a different stage of my life now in terms of my family and how I feel about things. But it’s still a great feeling, it’s still an exciting feeling.
“There’s competition for places in this team constantly. So I’m literally just one game at a time, and I’d love to have that feeling again. But I think we’re all going to feel it. The club’s excited.
“What a great feeling, what a great time to be involved in football. And at a club like this.
“If you asked me a few years ago if I was going to be playing Champions League football, if I was giving an honest answer, I’d say no.”
Hart will play a big role for Celtic in the UEFA Champions League.
Last season, Celtic fans saw how big a role Joe Hart had in helping the Bhoys achieve success in the Scottish Premiership and Premier Sports cup.
However, that could be about to step up a notch when we take to the Champions League group stages for the first time since 2017.
Of course, Ange Postecoglou will be hoping to see his side continue to play their football, which involves build-up play starting from Hart.
But, the veteran shot-stopper is also likely to be a lot busier between the sticks against some of the best strikers in the world.
Having that experience of playing at the latter stages of the tournament will be valuable, and Hart has already showcased he is ready to put that to use.
In other news, Reo Hatate looks ready to start for Celtic again.
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