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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Smith

Joe Hart opens up on Celtic future as he issues cryptic 'chess move' update

Joe Hart has opened up on his Celtic future with just one year remaining on his current Parkhead deal.

The former England international was brought to the Hoops by Ange Postecoglou as one of his first signings back in August 2021.

At the time, Celtic were struggling in the goalkeeping department with Scott Bain and Vasilis Barkas failing to make the No1 jersey their own.

Since then Hart has slotted in as the Celtic choice goalkeeper and he has enjoyed the success they have achieved under the leadership of Postecoglou.

Asked if he had something to prove to try and earn a new contract, Hart responded: "Something to prove? Difficult for me to say at this time in my career.

"I have been consistent. I have absolutely loved being here, I have loved not being at that part in my career where I am always looking at the chess moves.

"I don't think about any of that. I just love being in the moment and I am loving representing this club.

"I am at the other end of the business side and the politics and I am here to just do my best.

"Things will work themselves out as they go. I am just looking to enjoy myself and give back to the club, which has been so good to me."

Meanwhile, Matt O’Riley revealed Brendan Rodgers has told his Celtic squad to consign last season’s domestic treble to history to focus on more success.

The Hoops completed the clean sweep of trophies in Scotland for the eighth time before popular boss Ange Postecoglou stunned the fans when he departed for Tottenham.

Rodgers has returned to Parkhead for a second spell as boss, having won seven trophies out of seven in his first stint in charge between 2016 and 2019 before leaving for Leicester, but, according to Hoops midfielder O’Riley, he is clearing the way for a fresh start to next season.

Following a tough training session at Lennoxtown, the 22-year-old said on Celtic’s official Twitter account: “It is an amazing achievement, we’ve kind of broke that record again, which is a massive, massive credit to us and the fans of course.

“It has definitely sunk in, but at the same time Brendan has come in already and basically told us that it’s done now, isn’t it?

“So obviously, it’s there, it’s in the history books, but at the same time now we’ve got another season to kind of do it again.”

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