Joe Hart shuts his Celtic detractors down as 'opinions that don't matter' won't influence his future

Joe Hart would have heard the mood music.

When Brendan Rodgers made his sensational return to Celtic in the summer, there were whispers of his imminent demise. The murmurs, outside of Parkhead at least, was that the new manager would look to recruit a new keeper. That he’d want a younger model, more adept with his feet than 36-year-old Hart. But the former Manchester City and England No.1 has always trusted his own ability. And so far, Hart has been one of Celtic’s star performers under Rodgers this season.

On Tuesday night in Rotterdam, it’ll be the Champions League anthem he’s listening to as the Hoops embark on another European campaign against Feyenoord. Hart has had to fend off doubters and critics for almost his entire career. But he’s enjoyed a renaissance in Glasgow over the past two years and he has no immediate plans for it to end.

He’s in the last year of his contract at Celtic and who knows? Maybe next summer, Rodgers will look at signing another stopper. But right now, Hart feels he’s in a rich vein of form. And he’s not really interested in whatever anyone else thinks.

As he prepared to face the Dutch champs at De Kuip tonight, Hart said: “I’ve got respect for the football world but there are very few people out there whose opinions really matter. I mean that respectfully. After speaking to Stevie Woods (goalie coach) and Brendan, I know what I’ve got to offer.

“I offer everything I’ve got. If that’s not good enough for someone, that’s life, so be it. It hasn’t been good enough before but it often has. I was hoping to get the chance to show that it was this season so we’ll see.

“It’s probably down to my age or it might be something else on any given day. I know from my past as a goalkeeper that I’m by no