Slicker keen to follow the example of Celtic’s Hart

CIERAN SLICKER is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Joe Hart after benefiting from a private audience with the Celtic goalkeeper. The Oldham-born teenager earned his second Scotland Under-21 cap in the loss to Denmark at Tynecastle on Thursday. Reared in the Manchester City academy since joining their Under-9s a decade ago, the 19-year-old counts himself blessed to have heard Hart’s words of wisdom before his departure from the club. ‘He was my hero growing up,’ said Slicker. ‘When I was younger, I was a ballboy at City, so I used to watch him up close. I tried picking up as much as I could. ‘Over the past few years, I have spoken to him quite a lot. I was lucky enough to be able to be in a position to speak to him. ‘Joe is a great guy and a great goalkeeper as well with a great career behind him. ‘His advice to me was to try and play as many first-team games as I could and to never give up. ‘He told me to try and get first-team exposure and that’s what I am looking to do now.’ For now, the 19-year-old remains at the Etihad — an arrangement that makes the kind of frontline exposure he first experienced for Scot Gemmill’s side against Northern Ireland in June invaluable. ‘For me, playing for Scotland Under-21s is the equivalent of playing at first-team level,’ he added. ‘And I have also played for City (Under-21s) in the Football League Trophy against teams in English League One and Two and that exposure has been great for me. ‘I’m just trying to get as much first-team football under my belt as possible.’ Explaining his eligibility, Slicker said: ‘My dad is Scottish and that’s how I qualify. I was close to my gran and grandad who were here, but sadly they’ve passed away this year. ‘I started playing for Scotland at Under-17s level and ever since then I’ve loved it. ‘I have a lot of family who are Scottish, so I am very proud to represent them. Hopefully, I will make my family proud.’ Thursday night proved one to forget for the stopper, however, with Gustav Isaksen’s low shot deceiving him early on. It means Scotland have now lost ground in their quest to qualify for Euro ‘23 having taken a welcome point in their first game away to Turkey. ‘It was a tough one,’ said the keeper. ‘I feel like I should have saved it. It’s cost us.’