Emotional Hart bids farewell to Celtic Park but promises one last trophy celebration with Scottish Cup to come

JOE HART last night detailed his burning desire to repay a rousing Parkhead send-off with a domestic double in next weekend’s Scottish Cup final against Rangers.

The 37-year-old former England keeper made his last appearance at Celtic Park before retiring this summer in his side’s 3-2 trophy-day win over St Mirren and was treated to a huge banner bearing his name from the ultras section, whom he led in song over a loudhailer at time-up.

Even though Santa Claus, booed at the ground earlier in the season, was invited back to help present the Premiership trophy, Hart was definitely the centre of attention and was clear when asked how eager he is to pay back the love shown towards him in the Old Firm showpiece.

‘Of course. I’d love nothing more,’ he said, ‘but I have to separate the feeling and the emotion of today. We are a team of Celtic footballers who are going to try to do our best to execute what we have worked on every single day in training, in every single meeting.

‘This is what drives me anyway. I wouldn’t say there is any particular difference feeling-wise and that is what I love about this place. We want to win, we want to play well, we want to make our fans happy.

‘I can’t thank the fans enough. It feels too good to be true and I think that is the biggest compliment I could give it.

‘It’s disconcerting because I know what football has given me and taken away at the same time, but we are riding it together and staying humble. It is a humble football club and I love being part of it.

‘I think the fans just know I love and appreciate everything about them. The Celtic family all around the world, I feel part of it and I feel they are part of my family too.’

Hart made no secret of the impact the huge banner bearing his name and his likeness — unveiled at half-time — had left upon him.

‘I have never experienced anything like that in my life,’ he said. ‘An incredibly special day and I am truly humbled. I will never forget what happened. It will be a part of my life forever.

‘That (the banner display) shocked me. It is not easy to do things like that and I really appreciate it. The connection we have built has taken the three years, but that is the great thing about relationships: building blocks, trust, love.

‘It is so important to take it all in. Stuff like that is not just handed out. Feeling understood and feeling loved is really special and I have felt that.

‘To be valued like that is an incredible feeling, the timing and effort that has gone in to make me feel special — it makes me feel quite uncomfortable but in the best way possible.

‘It is a lot to take in.’

Hart admits there were some jokey requests post-match to consider extending his career rather than walking off into the sunset.

‘There was a little bit, but I think everyone respects it is not a decision I have made lightly,’ he said. ‘I wanted to step aside at the highest level I could and I could not dream of playing for anyone else after this — no chance.

‘And I think it is the right time for Celtic to move on and progress.’

Midfielder Matt O’Riley, meanwhile, has spoken of how hard it would be for him to quit Celtic in summer with interest rising in the wake of Spaniards Atletico Madrid having an offer turned down in January.

O’Riley said: ‘It would be very difficult. I’ve said before that the club means a lot to me.

‘The fans are so crazy and passionate but we have one more game to go and then I will take it from there.’