An emotional Joe Hart spoke on the pitch after Celtic's thrilling 5-0 title-winning victory over Kilmarnock on Wednesday night.

The 37-year-old is set to retire at the end of the current campaign, and praised the support he's received from the Paradise faithful since signing for Celtic in the summer of 2021.

The veteran stopper has since won six trophies – five under previous manager Ange Postecoglou and one under Brendan Rodgers – and appeared to get emotional in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday night's Scottish Premiership-clinching encounter.

He said: "This is everything. What a season, what a tough season. We stuck together, I decided I was going to call it a day, I didn't know if people would understand what I was trying to say when I was saying it but it means absolutely everything to be standing here with these guys.

"I love everything about this club, I've loved every minute of it, and we're here to win trophies.

"I can't [sum up the emotions], and I won't. I can't talk about how much this means to me and my family. It means everything, it's touched me so deep down in my heart.

"I'll hopefully be comfortable about talking about it soon, but I don't want to be blubbering on the football pitch."

Standing side-by-side with teammate Greg Taylor while chatting to Celtic TV, the defender hailed his colleague as a player and a person.

"It's an honour to call him a friend now," said Taylor. "He's been amazing and an ambassador for the club the way he handles himself, but, honestly just as a person I've been so honoured to get to know him."

READ MORE: Greg Taylor makes astute comparison between Brendan and Ange

From here, Celtic host St Mirren at Celtic Park on Saturday, after which they'll be presented with the Scottish Premiership trophy for a third successive season.

After that, both Celtic and Rangers have a full week's worth of preparation to undergo before locking horns at Hampden in the Scottish Cup Final 2024 – the fifth and final time the two rivals will face one another this campaign.

Speaking later outside Celtic Park, Hart said: "I'm feeling extremely grateful and extremely proud. I love this place, I love you guys, I love the boys.

"What a way to go. And we've still got one more to go, don't we?"