Joe Hart’s ‘brilliant’ save at 0-0 was a turning point in Motherwell’s narrow Scottish Premiership defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic on Sunday, ‘Well boss Graham Alexander tells the club’s official website.
It’s an accusation that has hung over Hart like a bad smell throughout his top-flight career.
As pointed out by The Telegraph back in 2017, during the goalkeeper’s short-lived spell at West Ham United, Hart has a history of struggling when it comes to keeping out shots down low to his left-hand side.
One would imagine, then, that Hart felt particularly pleased with himself after reacting at the speed of light to keep out a deflected Sean Goss shot during Celtic’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Motherwell.
One in the eye for the critics, certainly.
Hart’s heroics paved the way for another vital win for Ange Postecoglou’s men, his Save of the Season contender proving just as important as Tom Rogic’s well-taken winner at the other end.
Is Joe Hart the best signing of the Scottish Premiership season?
“Celtic are going to have opportunities unless you park the bus and we didn’t want to do that,” said Alexander.
“The risk is, if you score and you get chances, then it’s a risk worth taking. Joe Hart made a brilliant save down to his left at 0-0, which is a big moment in the game.
“We had other opportunities where the final pass or shot wasn’t right. (Rogic’s) goal was the perfect tonic for them to relax at half-time.”
The former England international had endured an almighty fall from grace after all,, struggling for regular minutes at West Ham, Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur following his brutal dumping by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be paid to Hart, however, is that a signing some described as ‘madness’ now looks like a masterstroke.
“Joe Hart is world-class, isn’t he?” adds Motherwell striker Kevin van Veen. “He’s played at the highest level and he knows what it’s about.”
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