Celtic’s ‘we never stop’ mantra from manager Ange Postecoglou has always started at the back.
And keeper Joe Hart insists he’ll never get tired of hearing he’s the benchmark, alongside skipper Callum McGregor, as standard bearers for a club’s relentless pursuit of success. The terms of endearment that his manager directs towards the former England keeper can be read elsewhere in this newspaper. But Hart admits his arrival at the Hoops almost two years ago was always about a search for excellence.
He said: “Stuff like that means a lot because it’s the kind of thing I like to be associated with. I’m pretty genuine. Cal is obviously an unreal player and a superb captain. He has stepped into a role where he has had huge boots to fill (replacing Scott Brown). Cal has not even tried to fill them – he has gone in his own direction and done a great job. I let him know straight from the off that if he needed anything from me, I would be right by his side.
“Hopefully that combination has worked but you would be in a minority here if you don’t come in and want to give your best every day. I love it here. I couldn’t be any prouder to be part of this team, this club and this city.
“I’m honoured to put the badge on and work for Celtic.”
A trip to Kilmarnock this afternoon beckons for the champions. Hart believes the constant demand to hit the heights can be a burden but, after an Old Firm win last weekend, the keeper is adamant it’s just another chance to improve on recent outings.
The Englishman, who celebrates his 36th birthday on Wednesday, said: “It was a good win over Rangers but it was a performance that we want to improve on. That’s how we work here.
"We always want to get better, always want more – and it’s no different this weekend at Kilmarnock. There was definitely a period like this when I played for Manchester City.
“When you are literally chasing the title, every single cup, it’s like that. Europe is tougher but you still feel like you belong there and want to have that same drive. Sometimes it can be a burden but I have definitely experienced this before.
“I love that focus and intensity. It really makes you feel part of something. There is always something going on, a story going into the game.
“This will be the same, a tough game. They need the points and so do we.”
The former Spurs goalie has enjoyed another impressive campaign and insists his appetite to keep raising the bar is based on a basic labour of love.
He said: “I have always had that bit between my teeth. I absolutely love it. But football hasn’t been set up for me to have 20 years of joy and success – it’s a flippin’ hard game and you have to keep working.
“I’m happy that I have had a lot more years when I’ve been able to be part of something than not. Every club has been different in terms of what has been expected.
“I have been a part of clubs where the fans have been on the turn and everything is negative. I’ve been part of clubs where anything is a positive and you can’t really lose. You just play each unique situation.
“This season Ange has come in on the back of a disappointing one and Covid, which all adds to the story. He has been exceptional and I have loved every minute so far of being part of that story.”
Hart’s current deal will expire next summer but such is his focus on making sure he remains first pick, he hasn’t even contemplated what the future may hold.
He said: “I still have another year on my contract, so I don’t really feel that conversation needs to be had. I’m in a special part of my career when I’m not chasing a contract or worrying about negotiations.
“Conversations like that will probably happen when they need to be had but I don’t need to be knocking doors down. And I certainly don’t expect people to be badgering me. I’m a lot older and I don’t see that as a threat. I see that as a fact.
“No one is irreplaceable. No one is more important than the club. But it’s not something you should be down about. Stay on your toes and be damn happy with what you’ve got. Give it your absolute all and break the back out of it.”
It’s a possibility that Hart’s distinguished career for clubs and country could have its finishing point in Glasgow and he didn’t dismiss the notion when asked if Celtic could be his final big stage. He said: “It’s a possibility but the club
are forever trying to move forward and push on. We’ll see. They are a business so they are always going to be thinking about the future.”
Celtic are aiming to break the 106-point mark for a season, a tally that was set under an Invincible Brendan Rodgers’ side. There’s also the 109 mark, the current world record, but it’s a target that caught Hart on the hop.
He said: “Hearing you say that has surprised me. It’s not something I have even thought about. Three are available against Kilmarnock and that’s what we are going to fight for.”
