What Joe Hart told Ange in first Celtic meeting as 'awesome force' talked him out of retirement

Joe Hart has revealed how his first meeting with Ange Postecoglou over signing Celtic had HIM speaking first instead of the boss - with all cards out on the table in a decision that kept him going.

The former England number one came to Glasgow with a point to prove after falling out of favour at Manchester City resulted in a nomadic existence for a few years, with stints at Torino, Burnley and Tottenham providing little joy. But Celtic boss Postecoglou knew of his talents and Hart has now won two Premiership titles, two League Cups and could form part of a treble-winning team this year.

There was no bigging up in their talks over him coming to Scotland. Hart told The Fozcast that he took the first steps in his meeting with Postecoglou and told his eventual manager all the things that needed to happen for him to be a Parkhead success, with another year on Tottenham's bench only going one way. He explained "I spoke to Ange and I thought that if something came up I didn't want to do, I am not going to do it. If it means that I need to sit for another year and then that was me out of football, so be it.

"I have done what I need to do in football. Respectfully, I didn't know much about his background and he was so cool. I probably sounded like a strange guy as I said I needed to speak first.

"I didn't mean it in a rude way but this is what's gone on, this is why I am struggling with football and for me to work, this is how you will get the best version of me if we do get there.

"Give me a chance to show what I can do, all I want to do is be part of something. I didn't know he was a total football manager, I didn't know he'd turned up to Celtic and hadn't brought any staff with him. Just walked in and he is an awesome force,