Everton's Jordan Pickford makes superb claim about Celtic player

Celtic need to be busy in the summer transfer window, as they have a goalkeeper to sign. Joe Hart is retiring at the end of this season, bringing an end to what has been a fantastic career in which he exceeded most expectations set of him. From the Hoops' perspective though, there is limited time to be sentimental about the announcement, as they have the tough task of finding a replacement for the Englishman.

The club have Scott Bain and Benjamin Siegrist as other options in goal. Neither of them should be the next Celtic number one though.

When Hart announced he would retire, the news understandably broke rapidly across the United Kingdom. He has not only been a champion with Celtic but is also remembered fondly for his time with Manchester City and his years as the England national team's number one.

The current England number one, Jordan Pickford, is the latest to send Hart an emotional retirement message. The Everton player has revealed that he always looked up to the current Celtic goalkeeper

Everton's Jordan Pickford makes superb claim about Celtic player

As reported by talkSPORT (via 67 Hail Hail), Pickford said about Hart:

"He was someone I looked up to massively.

“His pathway, he went on going from Shrewsbury to Birmingham to Man City and to get England’s number one and 75 caps and playing 10 to 12 years for Man City doesn’t come for nothing.

“He has had a great career. Hopefully, he will go out on a high. I can see why the Celtic fans love him as well."

Pickford is right, Celtic fans do love Hart for good reason. It is rare for an England international to come to the Scottish Premiership and truly embody the spirit and everything the Hoops stand for.

A lot of people were uncertain when Hart was signed by Celtic from Tottenham Hotspur in 2021. Most believed that his days as a top level goalkeeper were over and he had spent the previous few years playing the role of a cover option.

Hart has proven the doubters wrong with his displays for Celtic, playing a key part in two league-winning campaigns. Hopefully, he will win some more silverware before he calls it a day at the end of the season.

READ MORE: 3 Joe Hart replacements considered by The Hoops