With Celtic ending the 2021/22 season as the champions of Scotland, the Hoops have also secured their place in the Champions League group stage for next season. Considered the elite level of European football, the club will be returning to the main stage of the competition after several years, in what is surely going to be a special occasion.
Winning the European Cup in 1967, Celtic fans hold these European nights in high esteem. A number of the players will get their first taste of Champions League football next season. And that doesn’t exclude manager Ange Postecoglou.
Despite having been there on numerous occasions during his time in England, Joe Hart seems excited by the prospect of what those famous Champions League nights under the Celtic Park lights will bring.
Signed on a three-year deal last summer from Tottenham Hotspur, the former Manchester City number one has become an integral part of Postecoglou’s title-winning side. And now, he is looking forward to keeping the winning mentality intact in the Champions League next season.
Hart makes big Champions League claim about Celtic
As reported by 67 Hail Hail, while speaking to Stan Sport, Hart said about Celtic’s upcoming Champions League campaign:
"“I’m hearing all sorts of things about Champions League nights, almost that much that I thought it probably wasn’t going to live up to expectations. Yet everything I’ve seen has surpassed it, it’s gone miles past it. So I don’t want to even know what a Champions League night’s going to be like at Celtic Park.“With Ange in charge, we’re not going to approach it like that [defensively]. We’re going to approach it the same as we would approach any game and that is to win.“I can only talk about my past experiences – it’s the best competition that I’ve played in. It’s phenomenal. It brings so much excitement, so much energy to you.”"
Hart has nailed down his spot in the Celtic starting XI ever since arriving at Parkhead last summer from Tottenham Hotspur. A lot of eyebrows might have been raised about the move back then but it is safe to say that the Englishman has answered the critics with his performances this season. As things stand, he is expected to be the club’s first-choice goalkeeper in the 2022/23 campaign as well.
Not only has Hart been good with the gloves in his hands, but he has been a vital member of the squad for his leadership as well. And as Celtic return to the Champions League, his past experience in the competition will be vital.