Celtic legend Chris Sutton is warning Brendan Rodgers against replacing Joe Hart with a deal for Dinamo Zagreb’s Croatia international Dominik Livakovic seemingly unlikely.
Could history be about to repeat itself for Celtic’s Scottish Premiership winning glovesman? Could Rodgers do like Pep Guardiola back in 2016, and shove Joe Hart unceremoniously out the door in favour of a more technical, ball-playing glovesman?
Despite making improvements with regards to his distribution under Ange Postecoglou – that RB Leipzig howler aside – Hart’s relative lack of comfort with the ball at his feet could prove to be his undoing for a second time; Rodgers sharing his predecessor’s preference for a proactive, build-from-the-back approach.
Celtic could move on from Joe Hart
Sutton, however, is long enough in the tooth to remember the failed Dorus de Vries’ experiment during Rodgers’ first spell at Celtic from 2016 to 2019. De Vries was brought in to succeed Craig Gordon but quickly found himself removed from the firing line after some less-than-impressive displays between the sticks.
That, as far as he is concerned, is something of a cautionary tale. The grass is not always greener on the other side, etc.
“I would replace any Celtic player if you can get a better one in. That’s what Brendan will be thinking,” Sutton tells the Daily Record.
“The Joe Hart thing has grown arms and legs over pre-season. Joe has been a good goalkeeper for Celtic.
“In all honesty, I wasn’t sure about him when he came in. But he’s been a really important part of Celtic’s success, and I wouldn’t be in a hurry to get him out the door unless they get someone in who is better.”
Dominik Livakovic a target
Reports linking Celtic with an £8 million move for Livakovic – Croatia’s penalty-saving hero at the 2022 Qatar World Cup and a man labelled ‘one of the best in the world’ – have only increased the uncertainty hanging over Hart’s head.
Sutton, however, points out that the Livakovic trail has grown cold in recent weeks; Fenerbahce seemingly in the driving seat. What’s more, Rodgers needs only look at his old employers – Leicester City relegated from the Premier League after conceding 68 goals in 38 games – to see what can go wrong when you opt to move on from a highly-experienced shot-stopper without a replacement of equal quality to take his spot.
“There’s been talk about Dominik Livakovic,” Sutton adds. “But the fact it hasn’t happened yet would lead me to believe it’s probably not going to.
“Rangers have (signed) Jack Butland, who will have a strong temperament and be calm. You need that if you play for Celtic or Rangers, so I wouldn’t be in a hurry to get Joe Hart out out the door.
“Brendan let (Kasper) Schmeichel go at Leicester and brought in (Danny) Ward, who is good with his feet. But Leicester ended up getting relegated.”
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