Celtic's 3-0 Ibrox Beatdown: Joe Hart Says The Whole Team Was Shocked, But They Are Still 'Absolutely Fine'

That brutal 3-0 Premier Sports Cup defeat at Ibrox on Sunday had everyone talking, but former Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart is out here saying he still “always fancies Celtic,” believing the team will be “absolutely fine” despite the setback. It's a huge statement of confidence after a loss that left a lot of questions.

Johnstone's Baptism by Fire and Hart's Own Derby Memories

The focus for many, including Hart, was on fellow Englishman and Celtic goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, who apparently had a “very bad day in goals” during the Ibrox clash. Hart, speaking in a Sky Sports interview, didn't hold back on the difficulty of that particular game. He remembered his own first Derby game, playing with only home fans, calling it “tough” and admitting it might have “shocked a few of them.” He recalled being warned, thinking he was ready, then feeling “jeez, this is a lot” in the first five minutes. It clearly hit different. The score tells part of the story, with Dan Neil of Rangers bagging goals in the 22nd minute to make it 1-0 and again in the 75th minute to seal the 3-0 result.

Turning the Page: Two Massive Opportunities Ahead

Hart insists the entire team felt the pressure and were “too nervous,” acknowledging the defeat despite Celtic coming in with confidence. He gave full credit to the opposition, saying Rangers “bought the atmosphere, they bought the intensity and they were on it.” Celtic, on the other hand, was “slightly off it,” and Hart knows that's all it takes in a game of that magnitude. But here's the kicker: Hart sees this moment not as a collapse, but as something that “has got to turn you on.” He's looking squarely at the “two massive opportunities” coming up for Celtic over the next four days.

First up, they face Ferencvaros tomorrow in the Europa League, then they get a shot at redemption against Rangers again this Sunday, September 20, 2026. Both games are happening at Celtic Park, with only Celtic fans in attendance for the Sunday league match. Hart's message is clear: Sam Johnstone “will be absolutely fine,” and he still backs Celtic to get it done. This week is all about proving him right.

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Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.