Joe Hart wants Rangers golden ticket as Celtic goalkeeper names what fixture needs to keep global respect

Joe Hart's gloves will have dried off on their retirement peg by the time away fans are welcomed back to the Old Firm arena next season.

But the veteran Celtic keeper insists that won’t stop him getting a proper grip on the atmosphere that’s been lost on derby day for way too long. Not when he hopes to be right in the middle of the travelling party as a punter rather than a player. The laid-back former England ace might not quite be Artur Boruc with a megaphone - but he’s serious about being a lifelong Hoops man after his three years in the east end of Glasgow.

It’s fair to say the Celtic buzz has taken hold of the goalkeeper after he grabbed the career lifeline thrown to him by Ange Postecoglou three years ago. Derby day certainly has and the 36-year-old insists the Old Firm needs away fans to keep the respect it has worldwide. Of course, Hart knows what he’s talking about having played in some of the biggest clashes in world football including Manchester and London versions and the Derby della Mole between Torino and Juventus during his stint in Serie A.

And while he may be fully focused on leaving another dent on Rangers by bagging one more double before calling it a day in the summer, he insists it won’t be goodbye when the time comes to give the Hoops faithful one last wave from the pitch. More a case of see you later.

Hart has welcomed the news that Celtic and Rangers will open their doors to away fans on derby day again as of next season. An agreement has been struck meaning five per cent - around 2500 for Celtic supporters at Ibrox - will be back.

Hart has felt the thunder of a 50/50 split in the stands between the rival clubs in Hampden clashes. But he’s never properly experienced a volume of visiting fans on