Joe Hart to retire at the end of the season as Brendan Rodgers heaps praise on Celtic star

Joe Hart to retire at the end of the season as Brendan Rodgers heaps praise on Celtic star

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up with Joe Hart to retire at the end of the season

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 22/02/2024

- 13:15

Updated: 22/02/2024

- 13:29

The goalkeeper remains a vital asset for the Hoops as they look to win the Scottish Premiership this season

Joe Hart will be retiring from football at the end of the season, with Celtic confirming the news in a statement.

The former England No 1 has enjoyed a successful career, turning out for the likes of Shrewsbury, Tranmere Rovers, Blackpool, Birmingham City, Manchester City, Torino, Burnley and Tottenham over the years - as well as Celtic.


Yet Hart will now be calling time on his career, having been in the sport for over two decades.

Celtic's statement read: "Celtic Football Club today shares some news from our goalkeeper Joe Hart as he announces that he will be retiring from playing football at the end of this season.

Joe Hart Celtic

Joe Hart will be leaving Celtic for retirement at the end of the season

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"Joe has recently informed the club of his decision and he wanted to sit down with his close friend and his mental performance coach, Jamie Edwards, who he has worked with for a number of years, to outline his decision to supporters.

"Everyone at Celtic would like to thank Joe sincerely for his fantastic and ongoing contribution to the Club."

Hart has been at Celtic ever since arriving from Tottenham back in the summer transfer window of 2021.

He has made 138 appearances for the Scottish giants and helped the club win two Premiership titles.

And Rodgers has praised Hart while expressing a belief the 36-year-old will give his all between now and the end of the season.

“Joe has enjoyed a phenomenal career and I know will be huge miss to the game when he finally retires from playing football in the summer.

“For all he has done in football, Joe deserves huge praise and congratulations, he has been such a brilliant asset to Celtic of course and the wider game at the highest levels, domestically and internationally.

“But more than that, he is a tremendous man, just brilliant to work with, someone who I know has been a great team-mate to so many throughout his career and a player who never gives anything but his absolute best.

"Each and every day his work ethic is an example to all in football.

“While he will be a real loss on the pitch, I know he will stay in football in some form.

"It will always be part of his life and I am sure whatever he does after the summer time, everyone at the club wishes him nothing but the very best of success.

“I totally understand and respect Joe’s reasons for making this announcement and for being clear to the club and our fans on his future.

“I also know he will continue to work right through this season with the same intensity, commitment and drive which he has always been known for.”

Hart has taken to social media.

And he's sent a message to Celtic fans, insisting he's making the announcement now so the club can plan for the future.

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Joe Hart Celtic

Joe Hart has won two Premiership titles during his spell at Celtic

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"To everyone at @celticfc this message is for clarification and so we can all move together on the same page," he said.

"I’ll do my best to express what your amazing club means to me once this season concludes and I’ll share how honoured I am to have represented it for three years.

"Until then, I’ll give my all to ensure a successful finish to this season with you.

"Thank you for your unwavering support. Big Joe."

While Hart has spent the last few years at Celtic, his prime years were spent at Manchester City.

Joe Hart Man City

Joe Hart also won two Premier League titles while playing for Man City

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He won two Premier League titles at the Etihad Stadium in 2012 and 2014 respectively.

Yet he was offloaded by City in the summer of 2016 following the arrival of Pep Guardiola.

Hart also made 75 appearances for England, with his last cap coming back in 2017.

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