I am my strongest critic: Hart
22 March 2013 12:54 AM GMT
England goalkeeper Joe Hart reacted Tuesday to an inconsistent season with Premier League champions Manchester City by insisting he was his ‘strongest critic’.
However, he added there was no point ‘burying himself’ and that he was looking forward to contesting the England No 1 jersey with Ben Foster after the West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper ended a two-year exile from international football by agreeing to be selected in the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with San Marino and Montenegro.
The 25-year-old Hart has come under fire this term following some high-profile errors in contrast to the widespread praise he received last season when starring for City in their Premier League title-winning campaign and for England at Euro 2012.
‘My season has not been brilliant,’ Hart said Wednesday. ‘It’s had its good times but it’s football. It’s what I love doing. ‘I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been tough, things haven’t always gone my way. I’m enjoying the fight and getting back in there.
‘I understand you have your great nights and sometimes things don’t go the way you want. That’s the way it is.
‘I’m my strongest critic but I would never bury myself. It’s pretty obvious when you make a mistake as a keeper, you don’t need to dwell on it too long. It’s out there.’
As for the return of Foster to the England set-up, Hart added: ‘It’s great to see Ben. He is a consistent performer, someone I get on well with, when we train and to play against,’ said Hart. ‘Is Foster good enough to push me? Yes, but I’ve felt that every time I’ve come away with England.’
But having had a taste of tournament football with England, Hart is eager for more of the same.’I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do, I love it, I’ll keep working and training hard if there are no ‘keepers or 1,000 ‘keepers.
‘That number one spot is one I want to keep and last summer was a real high point in my career.’It was one of the best footballing things I’ve done,’ added Three Lions stopper.
However, he added there was no point ‘burying himself’ and that he was looking forward to contesting the England No 1 jersey with Ben Foster after the West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper ended a two-year exile from international football by agreeing to be selected in the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with San Marino and Montenegro.
The 25-year-old Hart has come under fire this term following some high-profile errors in contrast to the widespread praise he received last season when starring for City in their Premier League title-winning campaign and for England at Euro 2012.
‘My season has not been brilliant,’ Hart said Wednesday. ‘It’s had its good times but it’s football. It’s what I love doing. ‘I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been tough, things haven’t always gone my way. I’m enjoying the fight and getting back in there.
‘I understand you have your great nights and sometimes things don’t go the way you want. That’s the way it is.
‘I’m my strongest critic but I would never bury myself. It’s pretty obvious when you make a mistake as a keeper, you don’t need to dwell on it too long. It’s out there.’
As for the return of Foster to the England set-up, Hart added: ‘It’s great to see Ben. He is a consistent performer, someone I get on well with, when we train and to play against,’ said Hart. ‘Is Foster good enough to push me? Yes, but I’ve felt that every time I’ve come away with England.’
But having had a taste of tournament football with England, Hart is eager for more of the same.’I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do, I love it, I’ll keep working and training hard if there are no ‘keepers or 1,000 ‘keepers.
‘That number one spot is one I want to keep and last summer was a real high point in my career.’It was one of the best footballing things I’ve done,’ added Three Lions stopper.
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