Joe Hart has come out to bat for Kasper Schmeichel as he faces criticism at Celtic.
After initially looking like a solid signing at Celtic, Schmeichel’s form has taken a sharp downturn, and he now faces serious doubts over his place as first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Viljami Sinisalo.
Before his time at Celtic, Hart had been through the same situation, losing his place in the team at Man City, West Ham and Burnley.
It’s therefore understandable to see him defending a close friend in Schmeichel.
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Joe Hart on Celtic mate Kasper Schmeichel
Hart said on BBC Sport: “That’s life. That’s football.
“He’ll have been in it before. No one has a perfect career, but I think it’s important now that he’s still a massive part of the squad.
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“You know, he still has a huge influence on the team. No getting away from it, whether he’s on the field or not.
Last week on TNT Sports, an emotional Hart said: “It genuinely tingles, Connie, because this is really personal to me.
“I’ve come out of the game not to have to give these interviews.
“I thought I would be able to just look in and assess goalkeeping positions…
“But this is someone who means a lot to me. I know this position – I’ve been in this position. As good as my career looks now I’ve finished, it wasn’t like that.
“There were so many moments where I needed the manager just to show a bit of faith in me because it wasn’t quite happening.”
Has he played his way into the team for Ibrox?
Joe Hart’s defence of Kasper Schmeichel at Celtic
There aren’t many goalkeeper pundits, but Hart is one of the few who speaks about the unique nature of the position.
Martin O’Neill is wrong when he says that there doesn’t need to be a difference between goalkeepers and outfielders when battling with each other for positions.
Being dropped as a goalkeeper is simply more significant than in any other position – not least when there’s World Cup play-offs around the corner.
More than ever on Sunday, O’Neill’s loyalty to Schmeichel will be tested.
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