I wouldn’t be chucking him out- Sutton relaxed over critical Celtic position

Chris Sutton doesn’t think that Brendan Rodgers will be losing any sleep over the form of Joe Hart.

The former England keeper has been undoubted first choice at Celtic for the last two seasons but in common with others at the back didn’t end the season in the best of form.

A fourth minute slip against Yokohama F Marinos on Wednesday presented the hosts with a cheap opening goal to reopen fears that Hart may have lost his edge.

Goalkeepers can be especially vulnerable in pre-season matches but the rest of the Celtic defence was hardly in sparkling form as Yokohama scored six goals with some ease.

A week ago Croatian international goalkeeper  Dominik Livakovic was being linked with Celtic but that trail has gone quiet with Fenerbahce and Saudi side Al Nassr also in contention.

Assessing the defeat from Yokohama and especially the goalkeeping position, Sutton told Daily Record readers:

The same questions remain over the goalkeeper position as well, but I don’t think Rodgers will be losing too much sleep over it.

Joe Hart has been a brilliant goalkeeper for Celtic. He’s made crucial saves in big games and he’s a huge character in the dressing room. I know he’s got the odd ricket in him, and we saw one the other night, but I woudn’t be chucking him out just for the sake of it. It sounds obvious, but Rodgers would have to find someone better. I don’t think is a matter of urgency though.

I’m sure the manager will have spent these last two weeks on the road assessing and his mind will now be made up over what he needs. The results in pre-season might be meaningless but the performances will be shaping his thinking in the next couple of weeks.

Celtic are back in action this morning, taking on Gamba Osaka with an 11am kick off Celtic Park Time.