Joe Hart showed his experience on Thursday night by refusing to make a big deal of what was said in the dressing room after Celtic’s defeat to Bodo/Glimt.
Hart is one of the prominent leaders in this squad of players after an extensive career playing at the highest level. He’s had his fair share of highs in his time but also knows how to deal with the lows.
Last night’s exit from Europe was taken in his stride after the game, even when quizzed about Ange Postecoglou’s demeanour after the game.
As quoted by The Scottish Sun [25/02 print edition, page 68], Hart managed to shrug off questions about the manager’s anger in the dressing room, stating: “Have you ever seen the manager look happy? That’s just his face. Of course he wasn’t happy. None of us were. But we’re certainly not going to get too down about it. We’ve got big stuff ahead.
“Every game we play we have the intention of winning and playing our brand of football. We were beaten by the better team over two legs. Bodo deserved to win the tie. We haven’t done it tonight. What can we do? Nothing.
“But we can move on to Sunday against Hibs and do our best to perform and win. There’s a bigger picture – and that’s the only picture. It’s really simple.”
You know the stories being the sought, the headlines begging to be created. They want to hear Ange has blown a gasket and gone through the players. Perhaps that happened, who knows?
I’m sure robust opinions were exchanged between everyone in the Celtic camp. The performance last night deserved it.
Hart is smart enough to keep it all in-house though and sidestep the leading questions with a quip the manager would have been proud of.
Celtic remain a united force. As Euan Davidson opined on the site earlier tonight, Scottish football is in for a shock if they think this European detour has permanently taken the Bhoys off the path.
Hopefully we see the reaction we need this weekend.
In other news, Hibs blow ahead of Celtic match; Shaun Maloney now missing 8 players.
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