Chris Sutton criticises Celtic player as he continues to struggle
Once again Celtic were nowhere near their best but at least they did manage to get a result. The Hoops went into the break a goal down to St Johnstone and fans feared that they could drop points for the second straight weekend. Fortunately, goals from Callum McGregor, Matt O'Riley and James Forrest sealed the win for Brendan Rodgers' team.
Not many would have been satisfied with the display though. The fear factor around Celtic is completely gone at the moment and this is a team very capable of drawing, or even losing, games that they should be winning comfortably.
There are question marks around the long-term future of some Celtic players for sure. One of them is Joe Hart.
Hart played his part in the goal that Celtic conceded on the day. And that has not been a rare instance in recent times. Chris Sutton was critical of the goalkeeper.
Sutton criticises Celtic player as he continues to struggle
As reported by 67 Hail Hail, Sutton told Sky Sports Football (03/12/23 12:40 pm):
"I think it’s a perfectly good goal. There is nothing wrong with it. He isn’t decisive enough, Joe Hart. He is asking for a foul, but there is nothing there. O’Riley tries to clear it, but kicks the ball against Jaiyesimi. Joe Hart has to be stronger there, I really do. O’Riley should deal with that, he swings with his leg, but goes with his head.
“Joe Hart is really unhappy about the goal being awarded, but I don’t think he has any complaints. It’s a tactic, we see a lot of teams using that against Celtic. Surrounding the goalkeeper. He doesn’t like to collect things, Joe Hart."
Of course, Hart was not the only one under the microscope for the goal that Celtic conceded against St Johnstone. O'Riley played his part in it as well and should have done better.
O'Riley did redeem himself in the second half, by putting the Hoops ahead. And overall, he has been one of Celtic's best performers this season.
The same cannot be said about Hart. There have been question marks around him for a while now. His current deal runs out at the end of the season and it remains to be seen if Celtic end up signing a long-term successor to him between the posts soon. Names like Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool and Andriy Lunin of Real Madrid have been linked with the Scottish champions lately.