Celtic summer transfer bargain ‘exceptional’ and ‘a real leader’ – Joe Hart

Robin Bairner

• 6 Nov 2024 08:40 GMT
• 3 min read

Celtic have been praised for their smart work in the transfer market in the summer by former goalkeeper Joe Hart in the wake of the club’s stunning 3-1 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

The Hoops sit on seven points at the halfway stage of their group campaign, and with home encounters against Club Brugge and Young Boys to come, Brendan Rodgers’ side are well placed to achieve what would be a stunning qualification.

Goals from Niclas Kuhn, who struck twice, and Reo Hatate guided them to a well-deserved victory over the Bundesliga side, but while the forwards won praise, Hart was keen to shine a light on the performance of Kasper Schmeichel at the other end of the park.

The Denmark international, who was celebrating his 38th birthday, reacted brilliantly to deny Christoph Baumgartner just before Hatate sealed the three points, and former England international Hart has nothing but praise for the continued hunger of his fellow Premier League champion to play at the highest level.

‘Schmeichel wants more and more’

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Hart said: “He quietly went about his business. A few corners in the first half, the defence was struggling, Kasper came and gave a really good punch. Second half, crosses coming into the box, he came and dealt with them really well.

“The save to his right, he’ll make all day – he’s a really agile keeper. But the one down to his left was really sharp at a really important moment in the game.

“I bowed out at 37 but Kasper looks like he wants more and more, and that’s a credit to him. I was really pleased for him tonight. He was exceptional and a real leader in the team.”

Schmeichel has enjoyed a stellar season in the Scottish Premiership, with only three goals (one a penalty) conceded across the 10 matches he has played, including eight clean sheets. He posts a save percentage of 90.5% across these games.