‘Great desire to win’, ‘very top level’: Celtic-linked 6ft 5in giant tipped to shine at Parkhead

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Reported Celtic target Joe Hart is a “top goalkeeper” who would be a “good addition” for Neil Lennon’s Hoops or any other team, his former coach Andy Watson has told Herald Scotland.

The Daily Record have claimed that Celtic are set to stage a second round of talks with the Burnley man – soon to become a free agent – and his representatives this week.

While loanee Fraser Forster did well at Parkhead last season, Celtic are said to be waiting for clarity over the Southampton man’s future, and Hart could go on to be his replacement.

Hart was deemed one of the world’s top goalkeepers several years ago, a regular for Manchester City and England who accrued close to 350 competitive appearances for the Etihad side and 75 Three Lions caps.

Spells at Torino, West Ham and Burnley have not gone to plan after Pep Guardiola rendered the 6ft 5in giant surplus to requirements and moved him on from Man City, but Watson has no doubts about the 33-year-old’s credentials.

“Joe was great for us at the time,” Watson, who worked alongside a young Hart at Birmingham City, told Herald Scotland. “You could tell he was a top goalkeeper right away. He had a great desire to win and his qualities were fantastic.

“He’ll still have so much to bring to the table. You don’t lose your ability, that doesn’t leave you, and he’s been at the very top level. Joe will want to do well, and he will want his back four to do well.

“He really buys into being part of the team. He’s not a loner, he knows the importance of the team, even though we’re going back a number of years now that I worked with him. He’ll be a good addition for Celtic or for any squad for that matter.”

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The world of professional goalkeepers is very ruthless – some of the best stoppers in recent years, including Iker Casillas and Victor Valdes, found themselves frozen out at clubs where they had shined for years, and had to move clubs, so it’s not that surprising to see Hart in a similar predicament.

Hart is a high-calibre goalkeeper who hasn’t had the rub of the green in recent years but, much like Forster’s stock was low after being frozen out at Southampton before impressing at Celtic, the Scottish serial winners could well do the same for the former Man City man’s career.

His £45,000-a-week deal at Burnley (Spotrac) is to expire and, while he’d probably have to take a paycut at Celtic, he’d finally step out of the career wilderness he’s currently in, with first-team football, the chance to win silverware and European nights all on the cards at Parkhead.