John Hartson states if Brendan Rodgers should replace Joe Hart at Celtic in January

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John Hartson says he wouldn’t replace Joe Hart at Celtic during the January transfer window. 

The 36-year-old’s future has been a bit of a discussion point of late because of his performances and the fact that he is in the final year of his Celtic contract.

Some Celtic fans would like Joe Hart to be replaced during the winter transfer window and for the club to be pro-active in their approach for a new goalkeeper. 

But John Hartson made it clear that he wouldn’t do that because he feels that the former Manchester City man is ‘capable’ of doing the job for the second half of the campaign, as he told Go Radio. 

It can’t be denied that there have been some error-prone performances from the Englishman this term.

Chris Sutton was critical of Joe Hart’s role during the dropped points against Motherwell last time out – and there have been other questionable games, including in the Champions League. 

But John Hartson has backed Celtic’s number one to push Brendan Rodgers’ team over the line after getting knocked out of Europe.

Joe Hart’s future at Celtic

“It all depends if Brendan Rodgers sees Joe Hart as his number one going forward next season,” said Hartson. “There is only one man who will decide this and that’s the manager.

On if he would bring a new keeper in January: “No, they are out of the Champions League now. I think Joe Hart is more than capable of dealing with the second half of the season with Celtic. Going for the Scottish Cup and the league title. I think he has been excellent in recent years. 

“Yes, he has made a couple of mistakes this year. But, in terms of his shot-stopping, with Siegrist and Bain there. I don’t think they need to add another goalkeeper. Maybe at the start of next season when Joe Hart is out of contract. But not this season.”

Celtic should be pro-active with a new goalkeeper 

This might not be a case of dethroning Hart from his number-one spot now, but it wouldn’t hurt anybody if some sort of action doesn’t take place in January.

There is nothing wrong with being a little pro-active in search of a new number-one goalkeeper.

Rodgers loves his keepers playing with their feet and that is a weakness of Hart’s.

But it also needs to be noted that during the win over Rangers at Ibrox this season, he was fantastic and did his job to a tee, so he does step up when it matters most.