Hart’s an easy target for the snipers
SLAVEN BILIC says Joe Hart deserves to be treated as an England legend, not an international scapegoat.
Hart, 30, is clinging on to his status as England’s No1 goalkeeper after not being part of Pep Guardiola’s plans when he arrived at Manchester City.
He is on loan for the season at Bilic’s West Ham following a similar arrangement at Torino last year, and Stoke’s Jack Butland was given 90 minutes to showcase his talents against Lithuania on Sunday.
Hart’s reputation – along with everyone else wearing three lions on his shirt – was tarnished by disastrous performances in Euro 2016, which saw England humbled by Iceland.
But Bilic insisted Hart, who played in the 1-0 win at home to Slovenia eight days ago that clinched World Cup qualification, had not made a single significant error for his country since.
“When did he make a mistake?” said Bilic. “Tell me the game for England. Don’t go back to Torino and say he conceded a goal against Chievo last season. When did he make a mistake for England?
“He was man of the match in Slovenia when you drew – big time. He was man of the match at home to Slovenia. OK, some of you will say it was because nobody else was good enough but did he make a mistake?
“Did he make a mistake against Scotland by letting in those free-kicks? I’m saying no.
“He has become an easy target. The guy is brilliant. I’m not just talking about goalkeeping now – the guy never slaughters anyone in the job, he is taking the bullets every single time, whether he is at City or Torino or West Ham.
“He is a great professional and very interested in the squad. He is a top pro. Yet there is always a question mark about him.”
Bilic praised Hart for coping with the criticism, with World Cup winner Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton both indicating it might be time to give Butland a go.
“He takes it very well,” Bilic said. “There isn’t a person who wouldn’t be affected by that.”