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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Emotional Joe Hart holds back tears as touching Celtic banner tribute unveiled

Emotional Joe Hart held back the tears as a touching banner tribute was held aloft at Celtic Park.

The former England goalkeeper was visibly moved as Celtic fans saluted the No1 on his final Scottish Premiership outing for the club.

Hart is set to retire this summer with just the Scottish Cup Final 2024 as his farewell fixture after a glittering career.

At Celtic Park - during the match against St Mirren - supporters chanted Hart's name in tribute to the goalkeeper at various point throughout the match.

And at the start of the second half, a huge banner was unveiled saluting the Celtic goalkeeper.

Large lettering read, "Super Joe Hart" with an image of Hart appearing to hold aloft pyro - created by flares in the stands.

The goalkeeper was clearly touched by the tribute as he waved and applauded supporters for the display.

Sky Sports cameras then showed Hart emotional as he remained transfixed on the display with a large exhale of breath and smile over the banner.

It comes after Hart insisted he'd always be a supporter of Celtic after his spell at the club.

"It's in my heart this place and I can't even put into words how proud I am to have played and represented it, and be welcomed," said Hart in a candid Celtic TV interview.

"My family, a young family, an impressionable family, the way that they've been made to feel is really, really special. I'll be forever grateful and forever a supporter.

"I don't want to sell this place, I don't have to. You either want to come and experience it and feel it and realise why people say the things they do.

"Or if you don't, that's fine. Live your own life, do your own thing, have your own feelings."

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