Chris Sutton and Neil Lennon explain why Celtic now have a great chance to “really bury Rangers”Chris Sutton and Neil Lennon explain why Celtic now have a great chance to “really bury Rangers”Chris Sutton and Neil Lennon explain why Celtic now have a great chance to “really bury Rangers”Chris Sutton and Neil Lennon explain why Celtic now have a great chance to “really bury Rangers”
Pyrotechnics, tifo displays, sunshine football and even Santa all made it a very special day at Paradise. The 3-2 win over St Mirren didn’t hurt either.
PLAYING
Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O’Riley and Luis Palma were all on the scoresheet as Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys made it 11 games unbeaten in all competitions.
The manager has promised Celtic improvement over the summer and into next season. That’s realistic considering the potential resources on offer as a result of another direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League.
For former Celtic favourites Neil Lennon and Chris Sutton, it’s an opportunity to leave Rangers behind and embark on more domestic dominance over the next few years.
![Celtic player Kyogo Furuhashi (front centre) and team mamtes with the league winners trophy after the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celt...](https://cdn1.67hailhail.com/uploads/18/2024/05/GettyImages-2153543354-1024x682.jpg)
Celtic set for more dominance in Rangers rivalry
Speaking to Sky Sports, Sutton said when asked where Celtic go from here: “It’s an exciting time. There’s still the unknown next season and the unknown is going into the Champions League.
“It’s copy and paste every season – Celtic need to add to the squad, they need to strengthen and the recruitment has to be right. That is the aim, to see a Celtic team at Celtic Park go toe-to-toe with the big sides in European football but it’s not easy.”
Lennon interjected to add: “I think you’re looking at a long period of domestic dominance, whether it be cups but certainly for the title. The money is there.
“They’ve got the manager in place now who has had his full season and won the title. He’ll have the whole pre-season to work and get his players in. I think Celtic are going to go from strength to strength.”
Sutton concluded in response: “It’s a great opportunity to really bury Rangers. Let’s get it right. Winning the league and all the financial aspect that comes with that. Celtic fans will be looking at it and thinking this year was too close for comfort – let’s really kick on and leave them in the wake.”
Celtic must maximise resource advantage
Money is flowing through Celtic like never before – with potentially more record-breaking financial results for the year ending 30th June 2024. So the pundits are correct, the cash is there.
It’s all about how Celtic use it this summer. Will they show the ambition to go out and directly improve Brendan Rodgers’ first team? If they do, Rangers will find it difficult to compete.
Reaching for that Champions League should theoretically go hand in hand with domestic dominance. Strive to succeed in the new expanded format and Celtic should naturally be able to show they are the best team in Scotland. Aim high and hit the mark.
![Joe Hart of Celtic arrives at the stadium whilst holding the Cinch Scottish Premiership trophy prior to the Cinch Scottish Premiership match betwee...](https://cdn1.67hailhail.com/uploads/18/2024/05/GettyImages-2153506443-1140x743.jpg)
Joe Hart tells Chris Sutton why he’s retiring now despite calls for him to stay at Celtic
Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart has been in some excellent form of late, really relishing the tail-end of his professional career with the Bhoys.
He’s been so good in recent months that former Celtic striker Chris Sutton dedicated his newspaper column on Saturday morning to the subject of him potentially staying on.
The pundit wants Brendan Rodgers to try and convince him to commit to one more season despite the announcement that he is retiring after the upcoming Scottish Cup final.
Sutton got to question the goalkeeper at Celtic Park today as part of his Sky Sports duties and received an honest response from the Bhoys hero about why now is the right time for him to hang up his gloves.
Hart knew deep down that next year he wouldn’t be quite himself going through another tough schedule of matches.
![Joe Hart of Celtic lifts the Cinch Scottish Premiership trophy during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC v St Mirren at Celtic ...](https://cdn1.67hailhail.com/uploads/18/2024/05/GettyImages-2153536579-1024x682.jpg)
Joe Hart on his Celtic retirement
The goalkeeper said: “I got a point in my life when I was potentially on the way out and then I got another opportunity. I don’t want to push that luck. I just want to finish strong. I want to finish in this special place as part of this special club. I think it is my time to move aside and let someone else have some fun.
“It is definitely not physical, I feel fine. I just felt that this was my moment. I felt really uncomfortable knowing it and not telling the manager or the lads. I wanted to say it and I wanted everyone to understand why I was doing it.
“I told Stevie Woods after the St Mirren cup game and I went to tell him and I couldn’t. I was crying. He thought there was a family emergency or something. I managed to snivel out what I was doing. Obviously, he was shocked but he was very understanding. I appreciate the understanding of this place. It just felt like the right time.
“I am not at the peak of my powers but I am able to always be ready for the games. Previously, I wanted to be out there arguing it strikers and getting that banter. Getting chipped and getting angry. Now I get chipped and I just kind of say ‘well done’.
“I just know that next season I would be getting to games and I wouldn’t quite be right. I didn’t want to put Brendan under any of that pressure. I love him for the fact that he has appreciated that I told him what I wanted to do and I have been able to do it.”
Joe Hart gets his big moment
Picking a moment to bow out is difficult to do. Not every player retires in glory – even the best ones. Hart has picked his exquisitely. Today’s scenes at Celtic Park were fantastic and will live with the goalkeeper for the rest of his life.
It’s better to leave now than potentially outstay a welcome. If he feels it inside him that it’s time to step down then it is undoubtedly the best decision.
Over more than 150 appearances he’s been a fantastic Celtic player and every fan will have fond memories of his contributions over the last three years. He’s an icon in Glasgow now. Hart has ensured it will always stay that way.
Watch Celtic heroes blast Zombie Nation as club share more behind-the-scenes celebration footage
Pyrotechnics, tifo displays, sunshine football and even Santa all made it a very special day at Paradise. The 3-2 win over St Mirren didn’t hurt either.
PLAYING
Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O’Riley and Luis Palma were all on the scoresheet as Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys made it 11 games unbeaten in all competitions.
The manager has promised Celtic improvement over the summer and into next season. That’s realistic considering the potential resources on offer as a result of another direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League.
For former Celtic favourites Neil Lennon and Chris Sutton, it’s an opportunity to leave Rangers behind and embark on more domestic dominance over the next few years.
![Celtic player Kyogo Furuhashi (front centre) and team mamtes with the league winners trophy after the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celt...](https://cdn1.67hailhail.com/uploads/18/2024/05/GettyImages-2153543354-1024x682.jpg)
Celtic set for more dominance in Rangers rivalry
Speaking to Sky Sports, Sutton said when asked where Celtic go from here: “It’s an exciting time. There’s still the unknown next season and the unknown is going into the Champions League.
“It’s copy and paste every season – Celtic need to add to the squad, they need to strengthen and the recruitment has to be right. That is the aim, to see a Celtic team at Celtic Park go toe-to-toe with the big sides in European football but it’s not easy.”
Lennon interjected to add: “I think you’re looking at a long period of domestic dominance, whether it be cups but certainly for the title. The money is there.
“They’ve got the manager in place now who has had his full season and won the title. He’ll have the whole pre-season to work and get his players in. I think Celtic are going to go from strength to strength.”
Sutton concluded in response: “It’s a great opportunity to really bury Rangers. Let’s get it right. Winning the league and all the financial aspect that comes with that. Celtic fans will be looking at it and thinking this year was too close for comfort – let’s really kick on and leave them in the wake.”
Celtic must maximise resource advantage
Money is flowing through Celtic like never before – with potentially more record-breaking financial results for the year ending 30th June 2024. So the pundits are correct, the cash is there.
It’s all about how Celtic use it this summer. Will they show the ambition to go out and directly improve Brendan Rodgers’ first team? If they do, Rangers will find it difficult to compete.
Reaching for that Champions League should theoretically go hand in hand with domestic dominance. Strive to succeed in the new expanded format and Celtic should naturally be able to show they are the best team in Scotland. Aim high and hit the mark.
![Joe Hart of Celtic arrives at the stadium whilst holding the Cinch Scottish Premiership trophy prior to the Cinch Scottish Premiership match betwee...](https://cdn1.67hailhail.com/uploads/18/2024/05/GettyImages-2153506443-1140x743.jpg)
Joe Hart tells Chris Sutton why he’s retiring now despite calls for him to stay at Celtic
Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart has been in some excellent form of late, really relishing the tail-end of his professional career with the Bhoys.
He’s been so good in recent months that former Celtic striker Chris Sutton dedicated his newspaper column on Saturday morning to the subject of him potentially staying on.
The pundit wants Brendan Rodgers to try and convince him to commit to one more season despite the announcement that he is retiring after the upcoming Scottish Cup final.
Sutton got to question the goalkeeper at Celtic Park today as part of his Sky Sports duties and received an honest response from the Bhoys hero about why now is the right time for him to hang up his gloves.
Hart knew deep down that next year he wouldn’t be quite himself going through another tough schedule of matches.
![Joe Hart of Celtic lifts the Cinch Scottish Premiership trophy during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC v St Mirren at Celtic ...](https://cdn1.67hailhail.com/uploads/18/2024/05/GettyImages-2153536579-1024x682.jpg)
Joe Hart on his Celtic retirement
The goalkeeper said: “I got a point in my life when I was potentially on the way out and then I got another opportunity. I don’t want to push that luck. I just want to finish strong. I want to finish in this special place as part of this special club. I think it is my time to move aside and let someone else have some fun.
“It is definitely not physical, I feel fine. I just felt that this was my moment. I felt really uncomfortable knowing it and not telling the manager or the lads. I wanted to say it and I wanted everyone to understand why I was doing it.
“I told Stevie Woods after the St Mirren cup game and I went to tell him and I couldn’t. I was crying. He thought there was a family emergency or something. I managed to snivel out what I was doing. Obviously, he was shocked but he was very understanding. I appreciate the understanding of this place. It just felt like the right time.
“I am not at the peak of my powers but I am able to always be ready for the games. Previously, I wanted to be out there arguing it strikers and getting that banter. Getting chipped and getting angry. Now I get chipped and I just kind of say ‘well done’.
“I just know that next season I would be getting to games and I wouldn’t quite be right. I didn’t want to put Brendan under any of that pressure. I love him for the fact that he has appreciated that I told him what I wanted to do and I have been able to do it.”
Joe Hart gets his big moment
Picking a moment to bow out is difficult to do. Not every player retires in glory – even the best ones. Hart has picked his exquisitely. Today’s scenes at Celtic Park were fantastic and will live with the goalkeeper for the rest of his life.
It’s better to leave now than potentially outstay a welcome. If he feels it inside him that it’s time to step down then it is undoubtedly the best decision.
Over more than 150 appearances he’s been a fantastic Celtic player and every fan will have fond memories of his contributions over the last three years. He’s an icon in Glasgow now. Hart has ensured it will always stay that way.
Watch Celtic heroes blast Zombie Nation as club share more behind-the-scenes celebration footage
Pyrotechnics, tifo displays, sunshine football and even Santa all made it a very special day at Paradise. The 3-2 win over St Mirren didn’t hurt either.
PLAYING
Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O’Riley and Luis Palma were all on the scoresheet as Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys made it 11 games unbeaten in all competitions.
The manager has promised Celtic improvement over the summer and into next season. That’s realistic considering the potential resources on offer as a result of another direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League.
For former Celtic favourites Neil Lennon and Chris Sutton, it’s an opportunity to leave Rangers behind and embark on more domestic dominance over the next few years.
![Celtic player Kyogo Furuhashi (front centre) and team mamtes with the league winners trophy after the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celt...](https://cdn1.67hailhail.com/uploads/18/2024/05/GettyImages-2153543354-1024x682.jpg)
Celtic set for more dominance in Rangers rivalry
Speaking to Sky Sports, Sutton said when asked where Celtic go from here: “It’s an exciting time. There’s still the unknown next season and the unknown is going into the Champions League.
“It’s copy and paste every season – Celtic need to add to the squad, they need to strengthen and the recruitment has to be right. That is the aim, to see a Celtic team at Celtic Park go toe-to-toe with the big sides in European football but it’s not easy.”
Lennon interjected to add: “I think you’re looking at a long period of domestic dominance, whether it be cups but certainly for the title. The money is there.
“They’ve got the manager in place now who has had his full season and won the title. He’ll have the whole pre-season to work and get his players in. I think Celtic are going to go from strength to strength.”
Sutton concluded in response: “It’s a great opportunity to really bury Rangers. Let’s get it right. Winning the league and all the financial aspect that comes with that. Celtic fans will be looking at it and thinking this year was too close for comfort – let’s really kick on and leave them in the wake.”
Celtic must maximise resource advantage
Money is flowing through Celtic like never before – with potentially more record-breaking financial results for the year ending 30th June 2024. So the pundits are correct, the cash is there.
It’s all about how Celtic use it this summer. Will they show the ambition to go out and directly improve Brendan Rodgers’ first team? If they do, Rangers will find it difficult to compete.
Reaching for that Champions League should theoretically go hand in hand with domestic dominance. Strive to succeed in the new expanded format and Celtic should naturally be able to show they are the best team in Scotland. Aim high and hit the mark.
![Joe Hart of Celtic arrives at the stadium whilst holding the Cinch Scottish Premiership trophy prior to the Cinch Scottish Premiership match betwee...](https://cdn1.67hailhail.com/uploads/18/2024/05/GettyImages-2153506443-1140x743.jpg)
Joe Hart tells Chris Sutton why he’s retiring now despite calls for him to stay at Celtic
Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart has been in some excellent form of late, really relishing the tail-end of his professional career with the Bhoys.
He’s been so good in recent months that former Celtic striker Chris Sutton dedicated his newspaper column on Saturday morning to the subject of him potentially staying on.
The pundit wants Brendan Rodgers to try and convince him to commit to one more season despite the announcement that he is retiring after the upcoming Scottish Cup final.
Sutton got to question the goalkeeper at Celtic Park today as part of his Sky Sports duties and received an honest response from the Bhoys hero about why now is the right time for him to hang up his gloves.
Hart knew deep down that next year he wouldn’t be quite himself going through another tough schedule of matches.
![Joe Hart of Celtic lifts the Cinch Scottish Premiership trophy during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC v St Mirren at Celtic ...](https://cdn1.67hailhail.com/uploads/18/2024/05/GettyImages-2153536579-1024x682.jpg)
Joe Hart on his Celtic retirement
The goalkeeper said: “I got a point in my life when I was potentially on the way out and then I got another opportunity. I don’t want to push that luck. I just want to finish strong. I want to finish in this special place as part of this special club. I think it is my time to move aside and let someone else have some fun.
“It is definitely not physical, I feel fine. I just felt that this was my moment. I felt really uncomfortable knowing it and not telling the manager or the lads. I wanted to say it and I wanted everyone to understand why I was doing it.
“I told Stevie Woods after the St Mirren cup game and I went to tell him and I couldn’t. I was crying. He thought there was a family emergency or something. I managed to snivel out what I was doing. Obviously, he was shocked but he was very understanding. I appreciate the understanding of this place. It just felt like the right time.
“I am not at the peak of my powers but I am able to always be ready for the games. Previously, I wanted to be out there arguing it strikers and getting that banter. Getting chipped and getting angry. Now I get chipped and I just kind of say ‘well done’.
“I just know that next season I would be getting to games and I wouldn’t quite be right. I didn’t want to put Brendan under any of that pressure. I love him for the fact that he has appreciated that I told him what I wanted to do and I have been able to do it.”
Joe Hart gets his big moment
Picking a moment to bow out is difficult to do. Not every player retires in glory – even the best ones. Hart has picked his exquisitely. Today’s scenes at Celtic Park were fantastic and will live with the goalkeeper for the rest of his life.
It’s better to leave now than potentially outstay a welcome. If he feels it inside him that it’s time to step down then it is undoubtedly the best decision.
Over more than 150 appearances he’s been a fantastic Celtic player and every fan will have fond memories of his contributions over the last three years. He’s an icon in Glasgow now. Hart has ensured it will always stay that way.