As Joe Hart sprang to his left and clawed a top-corner bound effort wide of the post, the Celtic goalkeeper reminded us all that – even at the age of 37 – he still has so much left to offer.
In that one show-stopping moment, Joe Hart rolling back the years to deny Hearts a leveller at Parkhead, Brendan Rodgers must have been tempted to do everything in his power to get his veteran shot-stopper to reversing the decision he made back in February.
A decision that has Celtic – perhaps begrudgingly – returning to a market where they have endured rather limited success in recent years.
Hart confirmed three months ago that he plans to retire at the end of the season. Finding a replacement goalkeeper with such influence, quality and experience is likely to pose a major test to a recruitment team who have already come in for plenty of criticism throughout part two of the Rodgers reign.
Especially with one of the goalkeepers on Celtic’s radar now removing his name from the frame.
Celtic need a replacement for goalkeeper Joe Hart
Michael Zetterer, BILD reported, had played his way onto The Hoops’ post-Hart wishlist after ousting Jiri Pavlenka as the number one at Werder Bremen.
The sight of Zetterer now committing his future to the Bundesliga outfit brings an end to any hopes Celtic harboured over the Munich-born 28-year-old, however, Werder finally reaching an agreement to extend a contract which was due to expire in the summer of 2025 following much to-ing and fro-ing.
“After such a long time at this club, I am happy and proud to have extended my long-term contract with Werder as number one,” Zetterer beams, via BILD. “I want to give everything for Werder in the Bundesliga in the coming years to achieve our goals.”
Tellingly, Christian Vander highlighted only Zetterer’s ball-playing talents when paying tribute to the academy graduate. Any goalkeeper in a Rodgers team will be expected to not only stop attacks but start them, and Zetterer’s passing range was certainly one major box ticked as far as Celtic were concerned.
“He has earned this contract extension with his good performances,” Vander said. “You can see that Zetti is good for the team with his qualities, especially in offensive play.”
Bundesliga ace now out of Rodgers’ reach
Celtic, HITC understands, are prioritising Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher, the Irishman having returned to his usual place on the Anfield bench after Alisson Becker’s return from injury.
There is reportedly interest in the likes of Patrick Pentz, Etienne Vaessen, Viljami Sinisalo and Trabzonspor captain Ugurcan Cakir too, though the latter may do like Zetterer and commit his future to his current employers after making it clear just how happy he is on the banks of the Black Sea.