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‘One of the best’: Reported Hammond target at Celtic labelled world class

Joe Hart of Burnley warms up prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Burnley FC at St. James Park on February 26, 2019 in Ne...
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Rich Linley – CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images

Celtic have been told that they’d be signing one of the world’s best goalkeepers in Joe Hart.

According to The Daily Record, Hoops’ head of recruitment Nicky Hammond is interested in bringing Hart to Parkhead.

The 33-year-old is available on a free transfer after being released by Burnley, meaning Celtic won’t have to spend a penny to sign him.

That being said, being released by the Clarets is the latest low point for the 75-time England international’s career.

Hart won the Premier League Golden Gloves award in 2015 but has since endured difficult loan spells at Torino, West Ham and Burnley after falling out of favour at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.

But former Celtic stopper Jonathan Gould remains one of the game’s finest shot-stoppers and encouraged his old club to make a move.

He told The Sunday Post: “As far as I’m concerned, he is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world and just needs a chance.

“He is hungry to do well. He’s only 33, and still has seven or eight really good years left in him. Maybe the right deal for all parties will be for him to go to Celtic.”

Is Hart one of the world’s best? Well, no. If he was, he wouldn’t be getting linked with Celtic and although that isn’t a slight on the Scottish Premiership champions, it’s a reflection on the player himself.

That being said, he is also heavily experienced and has 12 times as many caps for the Three Lions as Fraser Forster – a very popular figure among the Parkhead faithful – so maybe he wouldn’t be a bad addition.

Joe Hart of Burnley warms up prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Burnley FC at St. James Park on February 26, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)