Joe Hart, Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton were all on stage last night as Celtic’s POTY Awards went pubic in front of 11,000 fans at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow.
Normally the event is for around 800 corporate guests in a city centre hotel but after 19 years of that the club decided to throw it open to the public with perfect timing.
On Saturday afternoon 60,000 fans had cheered the team on to victory in the Glasgow Derby leaving Brendan Rodgers’ squad needing one more point from their last two matches to clinch the SPFL Premiership title.
It was an emotionally draining afternoon for the support but last night there was more of a party atmosphere around as heroes past and present went on stage to take the acclaim and say a few words of thanks.
Joe Hart is one of the newest Celtic heroes, two weeks away from retiring his three year spell in Glasgow has added to his incredible medal collection and ensured a special place in Celtic folklore.
There was a lukewarm reaction to the signing of the ‘clapped out’ former England goalkeeper in August 2021, arriving after he had been demoted to third choice at Spurs.
Hart lost two goals on his Celtic debut away to Jablonec in a Europa League qualifier but one save in the return leg against the Czech side received an incredible ovation with a full house back inside Celtic Park for the first time in 15 months.
It was cruel on Conor Hazard to say that it was the first save from a Celtic keeper in that time but Hart and the hoops support built on that moment with the relationship stronger than ever.
When you have over 70 England caps and mention playing at Livingston away with 80% of the fans on your side as a highlight you are assured of recognition, just like saving a penalty in a Scottish Cup semi-final shoot out.
Chris Sutton was on the end of some sharp comments from Brendan Rodgers after Saturday’s game but he took them as a professional which is more than can be said for Saturday’s comments from Kenny Miller.
There is doubling down then there are the lengths that the former Scotland striker went to to defend John Lundstram against his red racrd against Celtic.
Surely when Kris Boyd admitted it was an obvious sending off Miller would ease up, strangely he dug even deeper with fellow pundit Sutton lapping it up on Saturday and using it brilliantly in front of the fans in the Hydro.
It’s unclear who was the most emotional between Henrik Larsson and the fans last night but there was magic in the air as everyone realised that it was 20 years since the long good-bye.
The mighty Swede went on to win major honours with Barcelona and Manchester United but there is no doubt that seven years with Celtic will live with him forever.
A total of 242 goals including two in a European final barely scratch the surface of his achievements at Celtic, last night there was some good humour on stage with Sutton as a glorious era in the club’s history was recalled in front of a highly appreciative audience.
CLICK HERE for two faced Keevins makes remarkable Rodgers u-turn
CLICK HERE for Santa Ponsa celebrates Celtic’s victory in the Glasgow Derby.
CLICK HERE for SPFL Premiership table.
