Legendary Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner fears Joe Hart will be ‘a big miss’ with neither Benjamin Siegrist nor Scott Bain good enough to replace him at the Scottish Premiership champions.
Even at the age of 36, Joe Hart’s reactions remain as sharp as ever.
Without him, a damaging draw at home to Kilmarnock last time out could have been a devastating defeat. And that was not the first time the former Manchester City and England goalkeeper has bailed out his underperforming team-mates in recent weeks, Celtic surrendering their advantage at the top of the Premiership table to Old Firm adversaries Rangers.
News of his impending retirement, then, means the pressure is on as Celtic – who’s record in the transfer market has been underwhelming to say the least of late – look to find a replacement of requisite quality.
Doing so, Bonner explains, may be easier said than done.
Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart is retiring
“Celtic needed someone in that position who could provide stability, and Hart’s done that very well over his period here. He’s excelled at making big saves at the right time,” Bonner, who made nearly 500 league appearances in 20 years at Parkhead, tells the Scottish Sun.
“I’ve a lot of time for him. He’s been great value for what he cost. For his level of experience, in the Premier League and Serie A and for England, a fee of £1m was a bargain.
“He will be one of the leaders in the Celtic dressing room along with Callum McGregor. And, for that reas,on he’ll also be a big miss.
“I like the way Hart conducts himself and the way he speaks. On and off the pitch he’s been a leader in every respect. Joe’s been a great role model at Celtic. Works hard, does all the right things.”
With neither Scott Bain nor Benjamin Siegrist impressing sufficiently on the green side of the Glasgow divide, Bonner believes Celtic would be right to prioritise an outside hire. The Hoops reportedly showed an interest in Hakon Valdimarsson and Horatiu Moldovan in January but both players are no longer in the picture.
The former joined Brentford for £2.6 million last month. Moldovan, meanwhile, is now at Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
Bain and Siegrist not likely to step up
“Now, Celtic have to find a replacement,” Bonner muses. And how do you fill such big boots? I’m not sure there’s anybody coming through the system. I’m not convinced by the current back-ups.
“Celtic are going to have to go out and buy somebody. And it sure won’t be easy to find a candidate of Hart’s calibre.”
Hart’s farewell tour begins with a trip to Motherwell on Sunday.
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