‘Absolutely not’… Joe Hart can’t believe what football fans are saying about Newcastle United’s celebrations

Joe Hart has shared his opinions on Newcastle United’s sensational trophy celebrations on Saturday, which attracted hundreds of thousands of fans.

There was a sea of black and white throughout the city as the streets were lined with passionate fans who wanted a glimpse of the team that had finally brought silverware back to Tyneside.

Newcastle United celebrated their Carabao Cup win in style with an open-top bus parade through the city before embarking on the Town Moor to be greeted by over 300,000 screaming Geordies who waited decades for that moment.

Toon fans have enjoyed a euphoric two weeks following the heroics at Wembley, but nothing felt better than seeing those players celebrate the cup win in the City Centre.

The celebrations have been met with criticism from certain pundits and opposition fans for being excessive. Richard Keys blasted Alan Shearer for attending Newcastle’s event, claiming he should not have been ‘front and centre’ when he was not part of the winning team.

Now, Joe Hart has provided his take on the day’s events.

Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Joe Hart blasts critics of Newcastle United’s trophy celebrations

Joe Hart had a trophy-laden career at several clubs, including Manchester City and Celtic. The former England international won a slew of league titles and cups for both clubs, but they all felt special to him in some way.

Alan Shearer was proud of Newcastle’s trophy celebrations, and Hart is completely on his side following the criticism he and the players have face in the last few days.

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Talking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Hart came to Newcastle’s defence for their celebrations, completely silencing their critics.

“That Newcastle celebration, a lot of people saying ‘you’ve won the league cup calm down’. No – absolutely not. That was an incredible moment for that city, incredible moment for that football club.

“(They are) a huge football club that are many people’s second teams if you’re not a Geordie, and not from Sunderland obviously.

“But Manchester City, when we did that when we won that first trophy, which we’re all very accustomed to doing now. Manchester City win, people are bored of going to semi-finals because they’re just that used to going down to Wembley. But that emotion that went on, especially in the semi-final to beat Manchester United and then go on to win that trophy – it felt like everything.

“The emotion that came out from right the way down the City supporters from the brand new ones to the guys who haven’t experienced it in so many years and been through the leagues. We had an open-top bus through the streets, we ended up at the stadium and it was one of the greatest things. We sold out the stadium just to come and be presented after winning that FA Cup.

“It was one of the best feelings in my football career.”

After a dream fortnight for both Newcastle players and fans, it is back to business as they welcome Brentford in the Premier League on Wednesday night – a game with huge implications on the Champions League race.

Newcastle United fans want more after Carabao Cup win

Newcastle fans will be pleased that they can finally call themselves trophy winners, but Eddie Howe will be well aware that this should only be the beginning of something big, rather than a one-off ordeal.

After the parade, Newcastle fans want a bigger stadium than the 65,000-seater ground that has been proposed. Fans feel like 70,000 will still be enough to sell out games.

Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan promised Newcastle fans more trophies at Wembley, saying it was the “first, but won’t be the last.” The PIF boss will be well aware of what Newcastle need to do in order to carry the momentum from the cup win: qualify for the Champions League.

A bright end to the season will also surely give sporting director Paul Mitchell all the impetus he needs to bring in his desired transfer targets, with big plans for the summer window on the cards.

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