“Celtic is a feeling. It will forever be in my heart,” Joe Hart | OneFootball

Joe Hart’s last exclusive interview on Celtic TV has been posted this evening and it really is a must watch.  Joe speaks about coming to Celtic, his journey over the past three seasons where he’s loved every minute of his time representing the club, including the tough moments.

He talks about his admiration for Celtic captain Callum McGregor, which has turned into a great friendship. And he explains the importance of his relationship with goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods and all the goalkeepers he’s worked with in his three seasons at Celtic.

But mostly Joe talks about Celtic and what everything about the club has meant to him and his family over these past three years.

“If you were to look at the start of the relationship it’s how all relationships start, even the special ones,” Joe Hart said. “You’ve still got to get to know each other, trust each other. Where we are now it’ll be forever in my heart this place, I absolutely love it and I can’t even put into words how proud I am to have played and represented it and be welcomed.

Joe Hart of Celtic takes a penalty (and hits the post) as Celtic win a penalty shoot out during the Aberdeen v Celtic – Scottish Cup Semi Final at Hampden Park on April 20, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“My young, impressionable family, the way they’ve been made to feel is really special and I’ll be forever grateful and forever a supporter.”

Asked about his he’d sell Celtic to people as he attempts to explain how remarkable a club Celtic is, the Celtic goalkeeper said he’d not be selling Celtic to anyone as there is no need.

“I don’t, I’m very protective over that. I don’t want to sell this place, I don’t have to. Because you don’t have to. You either want to come and experience it and feel it, and realise why people say the things they do, or if you don’t, that’s fine.

Joe Hartapplauds the fans after the UEFA Champions League match between SS Lazio and Celtic  at Stadio Olimpico on November 28, 2023 in Rome. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“Live your own life, do your own thing, have your own feelings. I don’t even think I could do it justice, I think the smile on my face when the place gets mentioned, I’ll light up. The smile on my family’s face.

“I’ve got a close-knit family and friends group who have been everywhere with me in football, experienced everything I have and every single one of them that’s come up here has had their head blown off! I’m grateful and proud of that but I don’t think you need to fight for people to understand who don’t. It’s for people to come and experience, it’s a feeling, not words, not examples. And you either feel it or you don’t,” Joe said.

Hart had loads of praise for his coach Stevie Woods and his fellow keepers at the club during his time at Celtic.

Celtic v Livingston – Kyogo Furuhashi centre embraces Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart following the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final match at Celtic Park, on: Sunday March 10, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

“Firstly, Stevie Woods has been absolutely unbelievable for me. I can’t speak highly enough of him as a coach or as a person, he’s understood me, helped me no end. I’ve learned so many different things since I’ve been playing football up here in terms of styles and how to go about learning how to play because you’re always learning no matter what age you are. Hopefully I’ll continue to do that.

He’s spoke my language, trusted me. I put a lot of trust in him and what a great relationship to have, always live strong in my memory and experiences and it’s a relationship I’ll draw on. I’m sure we’ll speak in the future because I wanna help as much as he wants to help the club.

“Ultimately he has to have a relationship with his goalkeeper but it’s always nice when that relationship that’s required turns into something special and the trust and belief in each other is there. He’s backed me no end and I can’t thank him enough for that.

Celtic v AZ Alkmaar – UEFA Europa League – Play-Off – First Leg –  Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart right and Scott Bain during the pre-match warm up ahead of the UEFA Europa League Play-off, first leg match at Celtic Park, Wednesday August 18, 2021. Photo Andrew Milligan

“One absolute certain continuously in my life has been Scott Bain. Love him. He gives me a hard time, he really does. Sharp-witted man, a really good goalkeeper as well and someone who probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves but in terms of supporting me the whole way through he’s been exceptional. He’s had my back, I’ve had his, we’ve worked together with the team and we’ve got the results.

“That’s special, you need that camaraderie, big Benj (Siegrist) coming in as well. There’s no getting away from it, it’s been difficult for him, but he’s been exceptional as a person. I enjoyed playing against him and I knew once he became a teammate, we all are rivals for the jersey but at the same time we’ve got a common goal. A lot of understanding towards each other and you need that in life. I look forward seeing his career continue. We all want what’s best for each other and that’s no different with Benj.

Joe Hart of Celtic celebrates after the team’s victory in the penalty shoot out during the Scottish Cup Semi Final match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Hampden on April 20, 2024 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Even Barky (Vasilis Barkas) last year, tough for him, he’s found his place and I’m happy for him. Football’s not always down to ability at certain points, it’s about what works and what fits in your career, then getting to work with Tobi who’s away in Austria doing his thing, a prospect. Josh Clarke who’s been a breath of fresh air. Exceptional, I look forward to following his progress.”

Watch Joe Hart’s exclusive interview on Celtic TV below…

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