Celtic title winner makes emotional Parkhead admission and reveals how fans left him 'forever grateful'

Hart, 39, spent the final three years of his career at Celtic Park, having moved to the club on a free transfer from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2021, becoming one of former head coach Ange Postecoglou’s first signings at the club.

Capped 75 times by the Three Lions, the former stopper had won every domestic trophy with Manchester City in previous years, but found himself at a career crossroads after warming the bench at White Hart Lane, before he was given an opportunity to resurrect his career with Celtic - and Hart admits it was one of the best decisions he ever made.

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“There's no should have, would have, could have with Celtic,” he told BBC Sport. “That place just felt right. Everything about it, to get the opportunity to go, first and foremost, when football was about to turn its back on me, was one of the best last lifelines I was ever given.

“I thought I had life left in me [while at Tottenham Hotspur]. I really did think I had life left in me, and I knew that it was a difficult place to go to prove myself, because Celtic demands excellence. And from what they could see, I was on the bench at Spurs, and they didn't necessarily want me to even be on the bench anymore.

“So whatever my career was, I had a lot to prove. And I knew that, and I knew this football club wasn't daft. The way the relationship grew, I honestly could not have asked for any more. Did not want to play for anyone else. I had life left in me, I was 37, there's no doubt I was physically capable of carrying on, but I didn't want to play for anyone else after that amazing opportunity I was given.”

Hart also took time to thank the Celtic supporters for the banner they displayed on his final home game before his retirement. The club’s prominent ultras group, the Green Brigade, unveiled a huge tifo with the words ‘Super Joe Hart’ emblazoned upon it during the 3-2 win over St Mirren in May 2024.

The tribute left the former England stopper in tears on the pitch, before he went on to lift his third Scottish Premiership trophy with the club at the end of the game. Recalling the moment he saw the banner, Hart admits it was one of the proudest moments of his extremely successful career.

“To have that last home game,” said Hart. “The Green Brigade's farewell that was given to me after half-time when I walked out. I swear, I still feel like it now. I think I've said it enough, what it means to me. So, forever grateful.”