Joe Hart Comments on Celtic’s Euro Goalkeeping Target

Former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart has offered a blunt assessment of Slovakia’s Martin Dubravka following his recent performance against Ukraine, raising concerns that might resonate with Celtic supporters.

With Celtic hunting for a new No. 1 after Hart hung up his gloves last season, 35-year-old Dubravka has emerged as a top target. The Slovakian keeper, currently with Newcastle United, was in the spotlight during Slovakia’s Euro 2024 qualifier, which ended in a 2-1 defeat to Ukraine. Roman Yaremchuk’s decisive goal has cast a shadow over Dubravka’s prospects, with Hart pointing out critical areas of his performance.

In a candid critique, Hart did not hold back. “Dubravka’s got to wait to see what he does, whether he can come and claim it if the touch is big,” he told the BBC. “Through the air, his thought process is ‘can I come, can I come?’ No, he would have had to spear him at waist height.”

These remarks from Hart, who once stood between the posts for both Celtic and the England national team, are particularly poignant as they suggest a potential flaw in Dubravka’s Game. The former Celtic goalkeeper’s insight into the intricate decision-making of a goalkeeper under pressure might give Brendan Rodgers pause for thought as he weighs his options for a reliable successor.

Celtic fans have high standards for anyone donning the gloves. We have had some fantastic goalkeepers over the years, the last time we tried to replace a great goalkeeper we signed Vasilis Barca’s whop turned out to be an unmitigated disaster.

Of course, no goalkeeper is infallible, not even Joe Hart would have claimed to be perfect during his career. Celtic need to make sure they can get the best goalkeeper possible as they forge their way not just domestically, but in Europe.