Quincy Charles
Ange Postecoglou was overjoyed to see Joe Hart receive a standing ovation as Celtic defeated Jablonec 3-0.
The Hoops set up a Europa League play-off against AZ Alkmaar after the former Spurs and Man City goalkeeper made two superb saves in real time.
The ecstatic crowd burst into applause as Hart won a one-on-one in the second period.
They went even further after he made a close-range stop on the subsequent corner, almost as if it had been a goal.
The fact that tens of thousands of fans had returned to Celtic Park for the first time in 17 months may have contributed to the positive response to the saves.
They also appeared to be rejoicing in the idea that Hart might be the solution to the team’s goalkeeping woes, having struggled to find a consistent number one since Fraser Forster and Craig Gordon left.
Postecoglou said: “It was brilliant, great for Joe. He didn’t have a lot to do but the two moments he stood up and he now gets a feeling of what it’s like to be part of this special club.
“That’s what we want to do with our players, the new ones especially, make them understand that they are at a special football club.
“There’s demands with that, there’s pressures with that, but if you deliver and show that sort of intent, there’s no better place to play.”
