Celtic celebrated their Scottish Premiership title win in style.
Even though St Mirren opened the scoring after seven minutes at Parkhead, Celtic still got the job done by securing a 3-2 win and posting a very healthy 93 points for the campaign.
Brendan Rodgers should be delighted with how the team has ended the season because there have been many bumpy roads.
But the returning Celtic boss has fired back, proved doubters wrong and now has another Scottish Premiership title to his name.
The players have played a huge part in the club’s success, including captain and the ever-consistent Callum McGregor, the Player of the Year Matt O’Riley, midfield machine Reo Hatate, the best defender in Scotland Cameron Carter-Vickers and the ever-reliable, Joe Hart.
It’s not yet know if some star faces will stay at the club when the summer transfer window opens, but one name certainly won’t be at the club next season.
That’s Hart because he has decided to retire and next week’s Scottish Cup final against Rangers will be the final game of his trophy-laden career.
The 37-year-old made the call earlier on in the season, but James McFadden feels he is making a mistake, as he told Sky Sports (18/05/24 at 11:45 am).
The former Scotland international thinks Hart still has more to give and believes he has gone ‘too soon’ with his call to hang up his gloves.
McFadden added that when the former Manchester City star first moved to Glasgow, he was probably ’surprised’ by how much he has enjoyed it, with the shot-stopper also winning the Treble under the stewardship of Ange Postecoglou.
Joe Hart to retire
“Joe Hart’s had a tremendous career,” said McFadden. “I know it happens, especially as you get older. Doubting whether you can come in and have an impact.
“I think Joe has brought his experience. You can see, particularly with the way Ange (Postecoglou) wanted to play, how much he enjoyed coming up and being a part of a big team again. That was winning trophies and had that winning mentality. I thought he brought that mentality into the club with him. I thought that was really pivotal.
“He’s a big character. You can see with the way he plays. He’s the same in the training ground and the dressing room. He’s probably enjoyed this more than he would have expected because at the tail-end of his career, obviously, he is going to end his career as a Celtic player. I think he’s probably been surprised at how much he’s actually come up and enjoyed it. I think this season, in particular, he has reminded everybody just how good a goalkeeper he is. Personally, for me, I don’t know if it’s a personal decision, he’s probably made that decision to retire too soon, for me. He has shown this season that he is still a top goalkeeper and he can play on for another season at least.”
Joe Hart’s career
From winning titles at Manchester City. 75 England caps. To repping the biggest club in Scotland. And also a stint abroad.
It has been an amazing career for Hart and one he will look back on with fond memories.
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There might be some who feel he should carry on because he has more to give, but you would rather retire on top rather than being forced out.
This way, he goes out on his terms, with a title in hand and there is every chance the final game of his career – the Scottish Cup final against Rangers at Hampden – is a trophy win.
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