If Celtic go on to win the Scottish Premiership this season then the clip of Joe Hart celebrating with passion away to Livingston back in September will become iconic.
That day the goalkeeper had gotten himself sent off after just 28 minutes and although Celtic were 1-0 ahead in the game at the time, it could have been a game-changing moment.
Thankfully Matt O’Riley and Daizen Maeda popped up with second-half goals to secure the three points.
It was Maeda’s stoppage time belter that prompted the big reaction from Hart that went viral online, with one clip racking up over 650,000 views on social media site X.
Hart’s joy was fantastic for supporters to see, especially as it was so pure and genuine.
Joe Hart on his Celtic celebration video at Livingston
The Celtic shot-stopper was filmed on Sky Sports cameras watching the game in the tunnel but it turns out he wasn’t that happy with it all going public.
Hart feels that he should have been able to express himself privately having not realised he was being recorded.
Returning to West Lothian this weekend, he explained ahead of Sunday’s game [Herald Sport, 30/03 print edition]: “That was naughty. There was no need for that clip. I was just watching the game and reacted how I would like to react.
“I know we’re in public and people are free to do what they want. I think that was footage from the live cameras they were setting up for the interviews after. So that was a shame.
“But that was Daizen scoring an absolute banger to make it three. I’d liked to have celebrated with him obviously but that’s what it was.
“Of course [the fans loved it]. But it’s me. That’s how I am. That’s the truth. It’s a shame as you want to feel comfortable to express yourself in a controlled environment, but that’s modern-day life.”
Fair enough, Joe, you have your boundaries. He wants to know when what he is up to is being broadcast to the nation.
Only a small percentage of players have had the spotlight on their careers that Hart has and he is often very precise and deliberate in his media dealings. Understandably, he would want to have control in that environment.
He won’t have to put up with the glare of the media for much longer, of course, planning to hang up his boots after this last run of Celtic matches. Let’s hope he is smiling again in May – on his terms!
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