The Scottish Premiership title is within touching distance of Celtic. The Hoops came back from behind to get a magnificent 4-1 win over Hearts, thanks to goals from Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, Matt O’Riley and Giorgos Giakoumakis. That has sent them 9 points clear at the top, although the Rangers have a game in hand.

If Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side drop points tomorrow against Dundee United, the title race is over. Otherwise, the Hoops will still need another point. Their two remaining games are against Dundee United away from home and Motherwell at Parkhead. On top of that, their goal difference is 22 better than the Rangers.

Thus, while the title race might not be mathematically over, for all intents and purposes, it is. And one player who played a key part in that is Joe Hart.

Goalkeeping had been an area of concern for Celtic last season, with Vasilis Barkas, Scott Bain and Conor Hazard, all struggling to hold on to the first-team gloves. Hart has come in and brought some much needed stability between the posts, established himself as a leader and a firm fan favourite as well.

Hart sends emotional message to Celtic supporters

Hart sent an emotional message to the Celtic fans after the game against Hearts as his Instagram post was accompanied by the caption ‘Till the end’ along with a couple of green hearts.

It is safe to say that within a short period of time, Hart has been able to create a special bond with the club and the fans.

A lot of eyebrows might have been raised when Celtic signed the then 34-year-old from Tottenham Hotspur last summer but he has proven all the critics wrong and then some, and deserves all the plaudits that he is receiving at the moment from fans and pundits alike.

This article was originally posted here