Senior Celtic Player Opens Up On Fan Pressure

Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart has admitted that although he has been surprised at the pressure the supporters have put on the team at times this season, he understands it is for the greater good.

The veteran is set to hang up his gloves at the end of the current campaign in what will be an emotional moment for all involved with the Hoops.

Hart will want to go out on a high in the six (potentially seven) Games he has left playing at senior professional level.

Already this season, despite likely knowing throughout it would be his last, the 36-year-old has played to an optimum level, making several critical saves that have secured vital points. It is no surprise that many fans are nominating Hart as Celtic’s Player of the Season.

Although the overall mood surrounding the club seems to be positive at the moment, it has not all been roses in the garden throughout the campaign.

At certain junctures, supporters have voiced their discontent. On such fan pressure, Hart has commented.

He said: [Football Scotland] “This place, I swear, to still have the feeling like you’ve never won anything. The hunger we feel through the stadium is immense. They (the fans) understand their role and even when people show their discontent it’s not to bury us. It’s just to let us know the standard is constant and we felt it.”

In a few Games over the past few weeks when the scoreline has been 0-0 at half-time, supporters have understandably been left slightly anxious.

The same rang true on Saturday against St. Mirren but in the end, the Bhoys came through.

“We were aware that the first half probably wasn’t good enough but we know we can go up a level and keep going”, said Hart.

“Even with us not playing well we put a lot of pressure on them and put a lot of hard work in to free up the space.

“I thought the first two goals were exceptional, really important goals. Then Adam Idah summed up the impact we got from the bench with a big performance.”