BROTHERS IN ARMS
Hart: We don’t throw our hands up and I love that about us
SECTIONS of the Celtic support might have been up in arms in the stands after a nerve-ridden end to the latest chapter of their title defence.
But Joe Hart insists it’s an entirely different vibe on the park which is the secret to the Hoops’ hopes as the keeper hailed the lack of “arm throwers” in Celtic’s squad.
With the pressure at full tilt and grumbles turning to groans then full-on jeers by full-time of Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Ross County, the anxiety levels in the crowd could well have seeped into Brendan Rodgers’ troops.
But there was no finger pointing never mind fall outs after an afternoon where missed opportunities could have been costly.
Hart says Rodgers and before him Ange Postecoglou have shut the dressing room on any unwanted negative energy during his time in the east end of Glasgow.
The veteran shotstopper was forced into action deep into injury time when he threw himself low to his right to grab Jordan White’s scuffed effort at the second attempt to secure the three points. It could have been so much more comfortable had Luis Palma converted a spot kick which was missed twice – before and after a retake – or if any one of a number of second half chances had bulged the net.
In the end the Hoops failed to add to Alistair Johnston’s first minute goal. And asked if it was frustrating watching chance after chance go begging at the opposite end while tension grew all around, Hart said: “It is what it is. We keep calm, keep together, we are a team who stick together.
“We are not arm throwers and I love that about us.
“The last two managers have strongly addressed situations like that. Nobody is getting on each other’s back. Everyone knows each other’s intentions.
“Life is not perfect, football is not perfect but we put ourselves in the best position.
“Ultimately it’s half a compliment for everyone to be so frustrated when we have won.
“Everyone is trying to score and do the right thing. We have guys who are putting all the effort in and sometimes it’s just not meant to be.
“But sometimes it is – like with Ali’s screamer!
“We’d obviously have liked to score more goals and played a little bit more fluid but it wasn’t to be. Ultimately on a day where we are not over satisfied we have still won three points and we keep pushing.
“We are a professional outfit, not a bunch of slobs who took a few days off and suddenly we’re playing football again.
“We take our jobs seriously and we just want to play together and see where we go.”