What Joe Hart told Conor Hazard after sealing Celtic exit

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Conor Hazard’s move from Celtic to Plymouth Argyle this week was one that the former Hoops keeper needed at this stage of his career.

At 24 years old, Hazard had just returned from a successful loan spell at HJK Helsinki where he enjoyed a lengthy run in the Finnish club’s first team.

After nine years at Celtic, Hazard had barely had a sniff at first-team football at Parkhead but no one can deny that when he did get his chance in the Scottish Cup Final in 2020, the Irishman took it and created history for the club.

But now, he’s a Plymouth Argyle player and the former Celtic ‘keeper has now told about the relationship he had with Joe Hart and the advice he was given from him after he sealed his move to the English Championship side.

Hazard said [The Herald print edition page 72), “Joe was absolutely terrific with me. I couldn’t have learned from anyone better.

“When I spoke to him about the move, he just told me to go down and down my own thing.

“To be honest, I couldn’t hold Joe in any higher regard. He was very easy to approach when I was at Celtic and nothing was ever too much trouble.

“That tells you everything about him, especially for someone who’s won so much and was capped so many times for England. He’s basically done everything in the game.

“Looking back, I was really fortunate to have worked alongside some really top keepers during my time at Celtic.

“There was also Fraser Forster, Craig Gordon, Dorus De Vries and Scott Bain. And not to forget Stevie Woods and Colin Meldrum who were great goalkeeping coaches.

“It’s been a wonderful experience, one which can only stand me in good stead for the future.”

No doubt Hazard will be looking forward to the next chapter of his career. As well as targeting the first team jersey at Plymouth, I am sure the English Premier League will also be on his mind as a possible aim for the future.

Clearly, Hazard enjoyed a close friendship with Hart. Hopefully, the advice and tutelage Hart has given him will stand him in good stead and help the goalkeeper make his mark in the English game.

In other news, “I’m a fan and always have been” – Ex-Manchester United hero makes Celtic admission