If you were looking for someone to be in the trenches with, you would pick Joe every time
RICHARDS HAILS ‘BRILLIANT CHARACTER’ WHO SHARED TITLE JOY WITH HIM AT CITY
AFTER Martin Tyler stretched Sergio Aguero’s surname into a truly iconic piece of commentary, the cameras followed Manchester City’s ecstatic celebrations.
Off came Aguero’s shirt in a sprint of sheer joy. On came a mass of tumbling figures from the City bench. And round and round went Joe Hart.
Arms stretched out like the wings of an aeroplane, Hart circled in disbelieving delight before finally landing in the arms of a team-mate. City were champions in the very final seconds of the season.
A decade on from that unforgettable breakthrough success in east Manchester, Hart stands on the brink of a title medal in the east end of Glasgow.
If Celtic have their way, this one will be wrapped up long before stoppagetime on matchday 38. A huge goal difference advantage means victory over Rangers tomorrow lunchtime would effectively seal the deal with three games to spare.
The incentive to get it done is huge. But this is also a moment for cool heads and strong hearts. And that, according to Micah Richards, is precisely when Hart is at his best.
Richards was a City colleague during that epic 2012 run-in. He watched Hart, then aged 25, emerge as an unflappable focal point within a dressing room not lacking in strong characters. The trust in him was absolute.
Now a high-profile television pundit and Sportsmail columnist, Richards firmly believes the Celtic squad will be reaping similar benefits from a goalkeeper whose experience was deepened by difficulties endured in his post-City years.
Moving to Parkhead put Hart back in a league-chasing situation. He’s relished it. Put simply, Richards can’t imagine anyone better when it comes to helping Ange Postecoglou’s side over the line.
‘Joe Hart is just a brilliant character,’ says Richards. ‘Forget the footballer for a minute. If you ever want someone to be in the trenches with, it’s him.
‘He works harder than everyone else. People talk about his natural ability but in the changing room he is one of the leaders. He’s one where standards don’t drop.
‘There have been times where he’s been seen by some as, I don’t know… too emotional? But he’s not. He’s passionate. And he loves football.
‘His experience going into the end of this title run-in for Celtic is going to be pivotal.’
Richards speaks from experience. Because Hart came up big when City pursued a first league crown since the club’s Abu Dhabi takeover.
Clean sheets away to Wolves and Newcastle bracketed one at home against Manchester United. Having trailed the local rivals by eight points at one stage, Roberto Mancini’s men were now in control of their destiny. They still had to win that final game against QPR, though. Tied 2-2 on 93 minutes, it looked as though the prize might slip from their grasp. But then .... Aguerooooo! ‘Joe Hart is better under pressure situations,’ argues Richards. ‘That’s when you see the best of him. I remember there was a game (against Barcelona) in the Champions League. (Lionel) Messi just couldn’t score past him. Hart made about eight oneon-one saves. He thrives on big occasions. That’s him to a tee.
‘Leading up towards the end of this season, he will be loving it. Absolutely loving it.
‘You know, in a dressing room, you can see who’s up for a fight and who’s not.
‘In that Man City team, Joe Hart… you just knew you could trust him. Vincent Kompany and Gareth Barry were the same.
‘You had the Agueros and Yayas (Toure) who could do something special but there were characters who you could trust to do their job no matter what. Joe was part of that core.’
Richards (left with Hart) kept in contact with the keeper after they both parted from City. He travelled north to interview him earlier this season, at a point when the 35-year-old was just settling into his new surroundings.
What was already clear was the mutual respect between Hart and Postecoglou. That’s only been further strengthened during the intervening months.
After a tricky start in the wake of a wholesale squad revamp, Celtic are unbeaten in their last 28 Premiership matches. Twenty-four of those have been victories, with a 12-point swing in the contest against Rangers taking place since the winter break.
Hart has started 31 of Celtic’s 34 league games, keeping 18 clean sheets and sticking by Postecoglou’s demands to build from the back.
Richards recognises his acquisition from Tottenham on a free transfer as one of the foundation stones of the Australian’s debut campaign in charge.
‘When I came up to Glasgow to speak to him, it was clear he’s got a manager who loves him and who’s told him he’s his guy,’ said the former England defender.
‘Joe Hart needs to feel loved and the main man. Once he’s got that, he’s got absolutely everything to offer.
‘We can talk about how he’s played this season and some of the saves he’s made.
‘I’ve started watching Scottish football a little more because of Chris Sutton — because I like to wind him up.
‘He’s one who never really gives credit. He was like: “Oh, Joe Hart…”. I was like: “No, Chris, wait until you see him.”
‘Obviously it didn’t work for him at Burnley or West Ham and it was tough for him at Torino.
‘But you don’t lose what he has. In a Celtic team, he’s maybe not having to make as many saves as he used to, at a Burnley for example.
‘His distribution has been a lot better. And he’s happy.
‘When Joe Hart’s happy, there is no better character you want in your dressing room.’