Hart of gold: Celtic and England star calls time on his glorious career
Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart has announced that he will hang up his gloves at the end of this season, ending a remarkable career that spanned over two decades and saw him win numerous trophies and accolades.
Hart, 36, made the decision public in a statement released by Celtic on Thursday, saying that he felt it was the right time to retire and that he was grateful for all the opportunities and experiences he had in the beautiful game.
“I have been blessed to play football for so long and to achieve so much with the clubs I have represented and the national team,” Hart said. “It has been an incredible journey and I have loved every minute of it. But I feel that this is the right moment to say goodbye and to thank everyone who has been part of my story.”
Hart’s retirement announcement was met with an outpouring of tributes and praise from his former teammates, managers, rivals, and fans, who hailed him as a legend and a role model.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said that Hart was a “fantastic professional” and a “great leader” who had a positive impact on the club and the dressing room.
“He has been a joy to work with and he has shown his quality and experience throughout the season. He has been a key player for us and he will be sorely missed. I wish him all the best for his future and I hope he enjoys his retirement,” Rodgers said.
- Joe Hart’s career statistics as of February 2024
| Club | Season | Appearances | Goals conceded | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shrewsbury Town | 2003–04 | 6 | 9 | 1 |
| 2004–05 | 24 | 33 | 7 | |
| 2005–06 | 24 | 29 | 8 | |
| Manchester City | 2006–07 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007–08 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2008–09 | 10 | 11 | 4 | |
| 2010–11 | 38 | 33 | 18 | |
| 2011–12 | 38 | 29 | 17 | |
| 2012–13 | 38 | 34 | 18 | |
| 2013–14 | 31 | 32 | 13 | |
| 2014–15 | 36 | 38 | 14 | |
| 2015–16 | 35 | 41 | 15 | |
| 2016–17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Torino (loan) | 2016–17 | 36 | 64 | 5 |
| West Ham United (loan) | 2017–18 | 19 | 39 | 4 |
| Burnley | 2018–19 | 19 | 41 | 4 |
| 2019–20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2020–21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021–22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Celtic | 2021–22 | 49 | 28 | 23 |
| 2022–23 | 48 | 25 | 24 | |
| Total | 497 | 498 | 187 |
Hart said that he was overwhelmed by the messages of support and appreciation he received and that he was looking forward to spending more time with his family and friends after his retirement.
“I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career, especially my family, my friends, my coaches, my teammates, and the fans. You have made this journey possible and you have made it special. I will never forget the moments we shared and the emotions we felt. You have been amazing and I love you all,” Hart said.
Hart also said that he was excited about the future and that he had not ruled out staying involved in football in some capacity.
“I don’t know what the next chapter will bring, but I am open to new challenges and opportunities. I love football and I will always be a fan of the game. Have learned so much from this sport and I hope I can give something back to it. Maybe I will coach, maybe I will commentate, maybe I will do something else. Who knows? But whatever I do, I will do it with passion and enthusiasm, just like I did as a player,” Hart said.
Hart will play his final game for Celtic on May 19, when they face Rangers in the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park. He said that he hoped to end his career on a high note and to celebrate with the fans.
