Celtic former goalkeeper Joe Hart give his honest assessment over Matt O’Riley performance and he left Celtic Park and during his time in the club

Joe Hart Urges Celtic Fans to Stay Patient Amid Transfer Concerns

Celtic supporters have been vocal in their criticism of the board, but former players and managers continue to weigh in on the debate.

Neil Lennon recently defended the club’s hierarchy — a stance that hasn’t gone down well with fans — and now ex-keeper Joe Hart has offered his perspective.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Hart reflected on Celtic’s 2025 summer transfer window and reminded fans that patience is often required with new signings. He pointed to Matt O’Riley as the perfect example, highlighting the midfielder’s transformation since his £1.5 million move from MK Dons in 2022.

“Matt O’Riley — nobody would have ever said he was going to be the player he turned out to be,” Hart said. “During my time it was similar with Liel Abada, Jota, Nicolas Kühn.

Celtic tend to bring in players from around Europe who aren’t proven, and it takes time to judge the quality. But the board clearly has a good eye for talent, even if fans are frustrated right now.”
O’Riley flourished under Brendan Rodgers after first joining during Ange Postecoglou’s tenure, delivering one of the standout individual seasons in recent Celtic history.

His rise culminated in a £25 million transfer to Brighton before moving on to Marseille, where he now competes in the Champions League.
In his three years at Celtic Park, O’Riley made 124 appearances, scoring 27 goals and providing 35 assists while collecting eight trophies. His success, Hart argued, shows that the board’s low-cost signings can deliver exceptional returns, even if unrest is understandable in the short term.