Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart gave a brilliant response as the word “crisis” was put to him in the media.
The former England international has had memories to last a lifetime since his 2021 switch to Celtic from Tottenham Hotspur.
Hart has helped the team to five domestic trophies in two seasons, and sampled numerous big matches both at home and abroad for the club.
He’s been a big part of some glorious times to support Celtic but is also aware of how quickly things can change. The phrase: “You’re only as good as your last game” has never felt more at home than in Glasgow.
The Hoops stalwart was speaking to the media ahead of Saturday’s league clash at home to St. Johnstone. When he was asked whether last weekend’s loss to Kilmarnock had brought about a crisis at Celtic Park, he fought back a bit.
“I’d definitely say they’re your words,” he told The Scotsman. “I’d imagine that is the perception but we’ve got a huge responsibility.
“We’re not just footballers, we’re Celtic players and we’ve got a responsibility to show in these times – I say these times, it’s one game.
“I’d like to think you could interview me off the back of a 10-game winning streak or off the back of a bad defeat – it’s going to be the same message, same attitude, same focus.
“We’re not perfect. None of us claim to be. But we’re going to work damn hard to be at our best to represent the shirt and win games in the style that takes people off their feet. There’s no better feeling. And I’ve felt it a lot here.”
Hart is evidently a deep thinker. He takes football extremely seriously and is probably destined for a career in management once his playing days are over.
He is right to put any talk of there being a crisis at Celtic firmly to bed. Sure, last weekend’s game was a sore one, made worse by the abject nature of the performance. But we’ve not started the season too badly apart from that.
The transfer window and recent injury list have added to a feeling of dread that is probably heightened by the Ange Postecoglou era coming to an end. But it could all be better soon.
The Celtic support just need to feel good about the team again. That is likely to take just one good performance, result or summer signing. All three and more could arrive over the course of the next week.
Let’s hope it begins against St. Johnstone.
In other news, Alistair Johnston is fit and available for Celtic again this weekend
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