‘ Being a goalkeeper is a way of life’

WHETHER facing a barrage of shots, navigating the Glasgow roads or at home with his family, Joe Hart’s life is always impacted by a lifetime of playing in goal.

The Celtic goalkeeper has played between the sticks for so long, in fact, that it’s less his career and more a way of life.

Hart, 35, sees himself as a goalkeeper first in almost all situations and revealed his position influences his life.

It’s little surprise, then, that the former Manchester City keeper has no qualms with having to maintain his focus for long periods without pressure as Celtic No. 1.

“No, it’s a way of life for me,” said Hart when asked if it’s difficult to keep his concentration during dominant spells.

“Being a goalkeeper is a way of life so it’s not like I’ve got anything else to think about. It’s not a secondary job in a Sunday league when maybe your mind would wander to your work the next day.

“This is everything for me, every minute or even every second of the game.

“So I don’t mind it difficult focussing.

“I can’t even remember not being a footballer. It’s everything. It’s my work life but also my passion. Being a goalkeeper specifically – it’s not necessarily being a footballer as I’m a goalkeeper – is in the way that I think. It’s in the way that I analyse situations away from football. It’s who I am. And as long as I’ve got the gloves on that’s how I’ll think.”

Celtic have kept their nine- point lead over Rangers intact since returning to domestic action after the World Cup break. And Ange Postecoglou’s men are aiming to keep control of the title race during a packed festive fixture list featuring Christmas Eve, December 28 and January 2 matchdays – the final a derby clash against Rangers.

While much of the country enjoys time off for the holiday period, Hart refuses to view the hectic Christmas match calendar as a sacrifice.

“I just can’t see it that way,” he said. “It’s not a sacrifice to play football, for me. It’s a great opportunity. I love playing it and I’ve got a family now who love watching it.

“Put it this way, I’d much rather be the guy on the field entertaining rather than being sat at home watching.”