TWENTY years ago this week Joe Hart sought special permission from his teachers at Meole Brace School to dodge class and go sit on the bench for his local football team.
Back then the 15-year-old goalkeeper felt like he'd scaled Everest in his footballing journey as he jumped on the Shrews' first-team bus for the 200-mile trek ahead of a 1-1 draw in England's League Two.
Little did he know.
Two decades, 75 England caps, two World Cups, seven major trophies and over 700 appearances at club and country level later - Hart could be forgiven for thinking he'd conquered it all.
But as he reflects on the day he skipped school for his first ever taste of pro football, the Celtic keeper insists he's still a serious student of the beautiful game.
And that is what keeps him young and hungry in the quest for even more success.
Reminded of the milestone ahead of the Hoops' trip to face St Johnstone tomorrow, a delighted Hart said: "That's a great stat great work! Exeter away, I had to come out of school for that. That's awesome. That's made me smile that. That's cool.
"Exeter is a long way from Shrewsbury. League Two at the time, with the majority of the games, if it was under three hours you would travel on the day, but with Exeter a really long way we went the day before.
"It was such an amazing experience.
"I rememeber I had to get special permission from the school. I wasn't training regularly with the first team but it was needs must down at League Two at the time.
Denne historien er fra February 04, 2023-utgaven av Daily Record.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 04, 2023-utgaven av Daily Record.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ATA BHOY BRENDAN
Rodgers vindicated as he proves he can get results away against the big boys
IT WAS A THRILL MEETING OUR ZERO
Last-gasp tackles and headers galore but Trusty insists he loved Hoops' backs-to-the-wall display that earned vital point
ONE MAN AND HIS GOG
Tour with Tynie kitman shows boss Neil scale of task ahead
SLOT STERNUL
Nunez strike makes it 9 out of 9 for Pool
UNAITED FRONT
McGinn: Villa feed off driven Emery
THE RAG AND THRONE MAN
ANDERS HOLCH POVLSEN may carry a name that sounds more like a game changer on the pitch than off it.
TYSON BABY LOSS AGONY
| Fighter's wife suffered miscarriage ahead of Usyk bout
HAZEL'S BAFTA AWARD JOY
Sports broadcaster to receive prestigious gong
Hospital infection mum Gail''suffered too much'
A WOMAN who died after she contracted an infection linked to pigeon droppings \"suffered too much\", her daughter has told the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry.
BRAVE RILEY'S TUMOUR FIGHT
Routine pre-school exam revealed golf ball-sized lump behind his eye