ANGE POSTECOGLOU was so intent on signing Joe Hart he WASN’T put off – even when the keeper admitted football wouldn’t be his No1 priority at the Hoops.
Hart rounded off an illustrious career at the end of last season, signing off from Celtic amidst emotional scenes at Parkhead – and a Scottish Cup win.
The England international came to the club after being relegated to third-choice at Tottenham and admitted he wasn’t sure if he had a place in the pro game anymore.
But Celtic changed that. And more.
So much so, Hart says he’s become a lifelong Hoops supporter and intends on returning north one day to join the Green Brigade section at the stadium.
But he confessed it might not have happened had Ange Postecoglou not believed in him quite as much as he did.
A stunning confession during “very, very honest” signing talks might have put other bosses off, but Hart’s family situation didn’t get in the way of a three-year Hoops career that netted two doubles and a treble.
He agreed to share his time between his wife Kimberley, kids and Celtic but told his future boss the lay of the land before he put pen to paper.
Hart admitted: “It was a very, very honest conversation especially from my point of view.
“I said ‘look please don’t let me come across as defeatist but I’ve got to a spot here where I don’t know if I want to be a part of the professional world of football anymore.’