Joe Hart posts touching message on Instagram after Celtic debut, a 4-2 win in Europa League qualifying

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Joe Hart was thrown in at the deep end as Ange Postecoglou took his Celtic side to the Czech Republic to face Jablonec in Europa League qualifying. The Hoops had not recorded a win in their first three games, but that changed on Thursday evening. Hart made a promise to Celtic fans on Instagram.

Hart, 34, joins Celtic after playing just 10 times for Tottenham during the 2020-21 campaign. Clearly, he is going to need a few games to get right back up to speed – but he was steady as Celtic earned a 4-2 away win. Goals came from Liel Abada, Kyogo Furuhashi, James Forrest and sub Ryan Christie.

In the final third, it was a strong performance and Celtic will be disappointed they were unable to get six or seven. But the cobwebs are still there, and there is going to be some time needed for new signings to gel. Defensively, Celtic looked incredibly shaky – though hardly Hart’s fault.

What has Hart said to Celtic fans on Instagram after win over Jablonec?

New signing Carl Starfelt was poor once again in his second start for the Hoops – after his mistake against Hearts allowed Gary Mackay-Steven to score. Some have suggested Hart was perhaps a bit far off his line for Jablonec’s second. But it was more about the finish, than Hart’s positioning.

But it was an away win in Europe – something which Celtic and Postecoglou will be delighted with. It was not perfect and Hart elludes to that in his Instagram post. He promises Celtic fans that the “rust will wear off” in the coming matches. Given he only joined Celtic on Tuesday, he deserves time.

In other Celtic news aside from Hart and his Instagram post, here is what fans thought of Abada and his performance.