Gianluigi Buffon hails 'world-class' Joe Hart for stellar Celtic form | OneFootball

Parma and legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has praised Celtic shot-stopper Joe Hart for returning to his ‘world-class’ form.

The 34-year-old Hart suffered in the Premier League for several years after losing the Manchester City number one job, struggling with West Ham, Burnley, and Tottenham before lighting it up at Celtic.

Hart has posted an incredible 23 clean sheets so far this season and Buffon believes Hart is still as prolific as he ever was.

“The way Joe is playing this season is no surprise to me he has always been a great goalkeeper. He just needed a place to call home again,” Buffon told the Daily Record.

“He is a player I watched develop and I saw he had everything that was needed to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

“It was not that long ago that I called him one of the top three or four goalkeepers in the world.

“Along with (Manuel) Neuer, (David) De Gea and (Jan) Oblak, these guys were the next generation who could take over from myself and (Iker) Casillas.

“That player who was No.1 for Manchester City and England didn’t go away. He just needed to find his confidence again. I have always said you have to be a little bit crazy to be a goalkeeper because you are so isolated.

“As a defender, you are part of a defence. As a midfielder, part of a midfield. But the goalkeeper is the isolated player on the field.

“You make a mistake and all eyes are on you. That is what happened with Joe.

“He made a couple of mistakes and people just decided he was not top level anymore.

“He needed a bit of love to find his level again and he has obviously got that love at Celtic. The top player is back and it is good to see.”