Chris Sutton warns Celtic against signing Joe Hart

By John McGinley

June 30, 2020

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has warned the club not to touch Joe Hart this summer, speaking to The Record Celtic Podcast.

It was reported by The Telegraph last week that Celtic are considering making a move for the former England international in the event a deal to extend Fraser Forster’s stay didn’t work out.

Hart was once considered one of the top goalkeepers in Europe, winning multiple Golden Glove awards in the English Premier League and helping Manchester City to two titles.

In the years since though his reputation has waned and he hasn’t played a match for Burnley since the end of 2018.

With his contract expiring at Turf Moor he’s preparing himself for a new start.

However, Sutton doesn’t think Celtic should offer him the chance to revitalise his career.

Speaking to The Record Celtic Podcast, the BBC Sport pundit said: “I thought he was a goalkeeper who looked like he’d lost real confidence and the same has happened at Burnley.

“Why would Celtic, whether he cost money or a free transfer, want to spend big wages on Hart? He’s not the keeper that he was.

“He’s 33 years old, maybe he could come up and resurrect his career but Celtic cannot afford to take a gamble this season.

“That would be a gamble to sign Hart, looking at the form which he has been in. It hasn’t been good enough and Celtic cannot afford slip-ups.”

Sutton’s assessment is scathing, though there is not much to argue with there.

The only point to make in opposition is that Celtic employ a goalkeeping coach of the highest calibre – Stevie Woods.

Celtic goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods / (Photo by Jeff Holmes/Getty Images)

Woods has helped build the career of Forster and outright brought Craig Gordon back from the brink of retirement.

Who’s to say he couldn’t work similar magic with Hart if Celtic did make a move? I wouldn’t bet against him.

Ultimately it is Forster who everyone wants at Celtic and we’re all hoping the club are doing everything they can to make the deal happen.