Even though he has now left Celtic, Joe Hart is still receiving plaudits for what he has achieved at the club.
Over a three-year spell, Hart won three league titles, two Scottish Cups and two League Cups as he helped to assert the Parkhead club’s dominance over Rangers.
Hart also earned 75 caps for England and when he was at Manchester City, he also won every domestic honour available to him.
So to say he’s had quite the career is an understatement. Especially in European competitions.
Although he has never won any silverware from UEFA’s top competitions, Hart has represented Manchester City and Celtic in the Champions League and the Europa League.
But it was one particular performance for Celtic that UEFA decided to give a shout-out for and it’s not difficult to understand why.
Praise for Hart’s Celtic performance vs Bayer Leverkusen
Remarkably, Hart has made a combined 73 appearances for both Man City and Celtic in both competitions.
But it was what he did for the Parkhead club against Bayer Leverkusen in 2021 that UEFA has recognised on social media.
Even his reaction to making that double save was just class. No grandstanding, no over-exuberant celebration, just calmness and a willingness to drive his team forward.
Hart truly was a class act at Celtic and Brendan Rodgers has his work cut out to find a suitable heir for him.
With Kasper Schmeichel due for a medical this week, the Celtic boss has taken one step to replace Hart with a goalkeeper of true stature.
As for Hart, the former Celtic hero has just enjoyed a summer of punditry at the Euros and will now look to broaden his horizons after, what I’m sure he will take, a long and well-deserved holiday now his footballing career has ended.
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