Joe Hart: Rangers man drops Celtic star verdict after ‘disgusting’ development
Joe Hart “deserves plaudits” for taking a penalty for Celtic in their Scottish Cup semi-final on Saturday (20 April).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Rangers and Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton suggested that Hart, 37, had been “watching” Man City star Ederson, who also took a penalty in the Citizen’s Champions League quarter-final shootout against Real Madrid three days previously.
Hart stepped up to take the Hoops’ fifth penalty but rattled it off the post to give Aberdeen a huge chance of reaching the final.
However, he proved to be the hero after he saved Dons midfielder Killian Phillips’ spot-kick to send Brendan Rodgers’ side to the final at Hampden Park against Rangers.
Celtic star Joe Hart deserves praise for penalty attempt – Hutton
Hutton suggested that goalkeepers do practice penalties quite regularly in training but was surprised to see Hart as one of Celtic’s first five takers.
“He struck his penalty well and it’s just hit the post,” he told Football Insider.
“Hart has obviously been watching Ederson!
“Fair play to him for putting his name forward and stepping up to take one – he deserves plaudits.
“At the time I was thinking that there would surely be boys on the pitch that would have put their name forward first.
“I’ve always said that from a goalkeeper’s point of view, the ones I’ve worked with do a lot of shooting and striking the ball.
“Half volleys, penalty kicks, different things like that into the back of the net.
“Hart was obviously confident.”
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