Gael Clichy claims that Celtic’s Joe Hart is the best goalkeeper he played alongside during his playing career.
The pair crossed paths at City when Clichy was signed from Arsenal in 2011, and the pair won four trophies together, including two Premier League titles in 2012 and 2014. Speaking about Hart, Clichy was full of praise for his former teammate:
“He wasn’t so blessed in terms of playing out from the back, but in terms of pure goalkeeping skills, I don’t think I’ve played with a better goalkeeper and I don’t think we’ve seen a better goalkeeper in England over the past few years. He’s still playing in Scotland and what a player he is. A great lad, a great leader, amazing.”
Hart left City in controversial circumstances in 2016, directly after the arrival of Pep Guardiola who cited the keeper’s poor kicking as the main reason he wanted to change his No.1.
Clichy, meanwhile, stayed one more year at the Etihad before playing out the rest of his career in Turkey and Switzerland.
Hart can’t live on past glories
While Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper had a good first season at Parkhead, many supporters feel that the 36-year-old’s performances have declined over the last couple of years.
With Hart’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, there is growing feeling that the Hoops should allow him to leave on a free transfer.
Who could Celtic sign as his replacement?
Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher has been widely tipped as the man that manager Brendan Rodgers would like to bring in as the new No.1 this summer.
The main stumbling block, though, is believed to be the Republic of Ireland international’s asking price, with the Reds said to be demanding at least £15m.
