According to a recent report by the Daily Record, Scottish giants Celtic are said to have made contact with the camp of England international goalkeeper Joe Hart, as a potential alternative to Fraser Forster. The report suggests that the Parkhead chiefs have already initiated a sensational move for the former Premier League winner, whose Burnley contract is also set to expire in a few days. Neil Lennon is said to be keen on utilising the opportunity to try and lure Fraser Forster’s former international teammate to Glasgow next season.
Although the report has clarified that Celtic have made contact for Joe Hart, it’s no secret that the Hoops have been trying to bring Forster back for another season. The Englishman had a sensational campaign in between the sticks for Neil Lennon’s side last time around, but Southampton’s hesitance to sell has come as a stumbling block. Whether or not that deal happens remains to be seen, but it does look like Lennon is keeping his options open ahead of what could be a crucial season for the Bhoys.
How Did The Celts Manage In Goal Last Season?
Neil Lennon’s team started the campaign with the loan acquisition of former Parkhead goalkeeping ace Fraser Forster. Although there were a large number of expectations weighing him down pre-arrival, the Englishman passed his Celtic examination with flying colours. The Saints loanee has been an absolute giant in between the posts for the entire campaign, and his numbers highlight the said fact.
The 32-year-old conceded just 17 goals from his 28 league outings last term, while he also managed a clean-sheet record of 50 per cent. Craig Gordon and Scott Bain were available as back-ups for the role but were utilised sparingly.
How Has Joe Hart’s Career Progressed Over The Last Few Years?
Despite being a member of the Burnley first-team, the veteran stopper was only given three starts in the entirety of the season, with not a single one of them coming in the Premier League. More worryingly, the Englishman conceded a whopping seven goals over those fixtures as well. At the end of a five-year stint at Manchester City where he played more than 30 games in each of the seasons, the keeper was forced to find a move elsewhere. After spells in Torino and West Ham, he eventually found his way to Turf Moor in 2018. Hart’s 19 fixtures for the Clarets that season resulted in him conceding 41 goals.
What Would Celtic Be Getting By Signing Joe Hart?
The former Manchester City man in his prime used to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but a sudden downfall in confidence seemed to kill his budding career completely. After winning the Premier League title, the Englishman’s progress stunted, and soon enough, he was dropped from the side. One of the biggest concerns were the moments where Hart would display an inexplicable lack of concentration. Although he does have a history of being a top keeper, whether or not the Burnley man can reignite his career at Parkhead remains to be seen.
Celtic Have Made Contact For Joe Hart: Should Lennon Sign Him Up?
The Celts have been on the lookout for a new goalkeeper for a while now, and although their admiration for Fraser Forster isn’t a secret, it wouldn’t hurt to have a few alternatives in mind. Joe Hart, at 33, would offer a similar kind of option to Forster, and once again like the Englishman, would arrive at Parkhead with a point to prove. Forster was in a similar type of boat at Southampton before the move to Glasgow seemed to reinvigorate the stopper completely. Joe Hart would undoubtedly be a risk, but if the move for the Saints man falls through, it wouldn’t necessarily be the worst idea to wager on the former Premier League winner.
