“I’m at fault for the second goal, no doubt about it but…”
Joe Hart admitted fault for Celtic conceding a crucial goal during Celtic’s 3-1 defeat to RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The former England goalkeeper, however, also appeared to cite the team’s style of play as a factor in his error.
Oh dear, Joe Hart… 🫣
The pass from the Celtic captain is intercepted by Szoboszlai and tucked away by André Silva 👊#UCL pic.twitter.com/yzfNqjBu8G
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 5, 2022
Celtic were drawing 1-1 away to the German side when Hart mistakenly hit a pass straight to Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Hungarian forward then teed up his teammate André Silva to put the home side back in front.
Just seconds earlier, the away fans were celebrating Leipzig having a goal ruled out by VAR.
Following the game, Hart accepted responsibility for conceding the goal.
The ex-Manchester City goalkeeper, however, also spoke about the team’s style of play and manager Ange Postecoglou’s insistence on passing out from the back.
“I’m at fault for the second goal, no doubt about it,” Hart began.
“But that’s the way the manager wants us to play, so that’s the way we play.
“Sometimes it’s going to hurt us, but ultimately most of the time, as we proved tonight, we got through the press and gave ourselves the opportunity to score goals.
“They were pressing with three and I wasn’t quite sure to go with the centre-half or Greg (Taylor). I decided to go with Greg and I missed. They’re the simple facts.
“It’s high-level football and something I love playing… You make a mistake and you get punished.”
"I'm at fault for the second goal but that's the way the manager wants us to play so that's how we play…"
Joe Hart holds his hands up after an intense game against RB Leipzig
"It's high-level football, you make a mistake and you get punished" 👊
🎙️ @archiert1 #UCL pic.twitter.com/QtaSlI5mBZ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 5, 2022
Postecoglou didn’t blame Hart for the goal, saying post-match that there were other factors involved in conceding before his goalkeeper misplaced the pass.
“A mistake’s a mistake, it’s not about that,” the Celtic boss said.
“It’s about what’s the lead-up to that mistake, what are we doing? Are we playing our football? Are we showing the same sort of endeavour we were before then?
“I could see it coming. If it wasn’t Joe making the mistake it would have been someone else because when you get into survival mode, the best you will ever do is survive.”
Celtic have lost two of their three Champions League games so far this season, suffering defeats to Leipzig and Real Madrid as well as recording a draw away to Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Scottish champions are currently bottom of the group ahead of hosting Leipzig at Celtic Park next week.
Related links.
- Toni Kroos couldn’t get over the atmosphere in Celtic Park and praises home fans for their class.
- Graeme Souness calls out Celtic fans over anti-monarchy displays.
- Ange Postecoglou shoots down question about Celtic fans after anti-monarchy banner.
