Joe Hart declares Celtic transfer recruits and injury stand-ins ARE ready for Rangers in bullish 'deep resolve' claim

Joe Hart insists injury hit Celtic won’t get caught up in the rising Old Firm fever.

The ravaged Hoops want an immediate response to last week’s League Cup exit at Killie against St Johnstone. Parkhead punters are nervously looking down the line to next week’s showdown with Rangers – with their side severely depleted in numbers. Centre backs Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh are all out for more than two months while Reo Hatate and Oh Hyeon-gyu won’t be back until after next month’s international break.

The countdown is already on for Ibrox next Sunday but Hart said: “Honestly, we have a great attitude here that we can’t underestimate anyone. Our whole focus has to be on St Johnstone this weekend, and that is where our heads are at. I’m sure next week someone will be able to give some input into how we are feeling going into that game. But our focus is on how we are going to handle this one and get a good result.”

Hart is convinced Celtic will be ready for Saints and Gers – even with the crippling injury list. He said: “Yeah, we have injuries but you go through these patches. In my time here, we’ve had moments when we’ve literally too many guys and not enough training pitches and then we’ve had moments when we’ve had to adapt and put people in other positions.

"It makes me smile to think back to the first time we won the League Cup in my time, with the team we put out and the subs we brought on. So, we’ve got a deep resolve. We’re all in it for the good and looking to push forward.”

Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers is facing a hectic final week of the transfer window with Hart already dealing with holding together a patchwork back division. But the 75 times capped England ace said: “It just is what it