What Joe Hart told Ange Postecoglou prior to signing for Celtic

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Joe Hart has probably been one of Ange Postecoglou’s best signings since he took over as the Celtic manager.

Frozen out of football for over a season at Tottenham, Hart was about to throw in the towel and finish up with football for good. That was until Ange Postecoglou stepped in.

Hart revealed the open and honest conversation he had with the Australian which gave a fascinating insight into how Ange captured the former England number one.

Speaking on the Fozcast – The Ben Foster Podcast, Hart said, “I spoke to Ange about the Tottenham thing and I was like, ‘You know what? If something don’t come up that I don’t want to do, I’m not going to do it. And if it means that I have to sit another year and that’s me out of football and so be it’.

“I’ve done what I need to do in football. And I got asked to have a conversation with him. And respectfully I didn’t know much about his background. And he was so cool.

“And I probably sounded like a strange guy because I went, ‘I need to speak first. Like, I don’t mean this in a rude way, but this is what’s going on. This is why I’m struggling with football.

“For me to work this is how you’ll get a best version of me and if we do get there. Honestly, give me a chance to show you what I can do. I’ll help. I’ll be a part of it’.

“I said, ‘All I want to do is be a part of something. I don’t like this kind of bit part here or there. Like I need to be a part of something, I need to feel something. If you give me that opportunity then I’m all in’.

“And he said, ‘Look, that’s what I’m looking for. I’ve liked you as a goalkeeper. I’ve not even talked to you about goalkeeping. I’ve done a bit of digging about you as a person. I’m getting very positive things. I’ve done more digging about when you haven’t been playing and you’ve always been a positive influence and someone trying to push and drive and help.

“So it’s early stages in the talks, but I like what you’ve got to offer’.

“And I was like, ‘Well, I like what you had to offer’, and it just progressed from there.”

Joe Hart was integral to Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic rebuild

I have already stated on 67 Hail Hail when Hart signed for Celtic I was very sceptical about the move. We needed someone reliable between the sticks after the Vasilis Barkas episode.

Being out of first-team action for such a long period left me with doubts that Hart could come in and make an instant impact. How wrong was I?

As well as proving to be an excellent shot-stopper, Hart is also an excellent leader in that Celtic backline. Hart also offered newly crowned captain, Callum McGregor his help to lead the team on the pitch when he first signed for the club.

Hart’s positive influence in the dressing room cannot be underestimated. The Celtic manager himself recognised this when he made him temporary captain early into his Celtic career.

 Hart has now appeared for Celtic over 100 times in two seasons and is set to become only the second Celtic player ever to win a domestic treble on both sides of the Scottish border.