With Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota and Liel Abada in the spotlight Michael Stewart has highlighted the impact that Joe Hart has had on Celtic.
Vasilis Barkas and Scott Bain split goalkeeping duties in the first three matches of the season but after being dropped in at the deep end away to Jablonec the former Spurs keeper has been the main in possession.
The impact in Europe has been a little slower but domestically Celtic have the best record in the SPFL Premiership, in their last four matches the hoops have only lost one goal and that came while 3-0 up away to Hibs.
Hart made big saves almost from Day One, the home fans roared at the novelty of his stops against Jablonec and AZ Alkmaar with the former England keeper delighted to have his career revived. Over three months Hart has become an essential part of the way this new look Celtic side operates.
After praising Postecoglou’s strike options, Stewart told The Sun about the impact that the former Manchester City keeper has made on Celtic:
The deficiencies in the team lie elsewhere, and defensively I am still far from convinced by them.
But one person I have to say I would not include in that is Joe Hart. The big Englishman has been a huge signing for Postecoglou, that’s for sure.
Yes, he’s made mistakes throughout his career during his time with Manchester City and England. It’s fair to say the veteran goalie has made a couple since his arrival at Parkhead, too.
But he has made a ginormous difference to that Hoops defence in the short time he has been there. He has made some big saves, not least when Hibs stormed back against them the other midweek.
And what he has done is eradicate the constant debate there seemed to be over the Hoops’ gloves. Last season you never knew if big-money buy Vasilis Barkas, Scott Bain, or even Conor Hazard, would play at times.
Now you know who Celtic’s No?1 is again, and it has made such a big difference. Having Hart in there has given confidence to those around him, which can’t be underestimated.
And like those front three guys, he is buying Postecoglou more time to build the side he wants at Parkhead.
Tomorrow at Dundee Hart is likely to make his 22nd appearance for Celtic.
