The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)

Hart remains in Guardiola plans

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola maintains he has a good relationsh­ip with axed goalkeeper Joe Hart.

The England No 1’s future at the Etihad Stadium is uncertain after losing his place in the City side and with the club apparently closing in on Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo.

The pair were seen in deep conversati­on as City trained in front of media ahead of tonight’s Champions League play-off second leg against Steaua Bucharest.

Because Hart then walked off the training pitch immediatel­y after the pair spoke, footage has given the impression to some they may not get on. But that is misleading as Hart and his fellow goalkeeper­s were due to train on a separate pitch further away from cameras and Guardiola has insisted there was nothing untoward in their discussion­s.

Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola said: “I have an excellent relationsh­ip with Joe. We were clear, him with me and I with him, and we spoke about our football.”

Guardiola even insists he has not ruled out the possibilit­y of Hart featuring against Steaua, a game which City will begin with a 5-0 aggregate lead.

“He has a chance to play tomorrow,” said Guardiola.

Guardiola, however, would not deny that Bravo is poised to join City in the coming days, with the Chile internatio­nal pictured arriving at Manchester Airport yesterday.

Barca confirmed last week the two clubs were in negotiatio­ns and reports have suggested a deal for the 33-yearold could cost City around £17 million.

Guardiola said: “I cannot deny what everybody knows. Barcelona were the first ones who announced contact with Manchester City but, sorry, the deal is not complete. After that I will be open to answer questions but in this moment he is not our player.”

With Willy Caballero having been preferred in goal so far this season, the likely arrival of Bravo could effectivel­y relegate Hart to third choice.

Speculatio­n Hart could leave before next week’s transfer deadline is intensifyi­ng although Everton’s apparent interest has reportedly cooled. Sevilla have also been linked with the 29-year-old but Guardiola claims he is not aware of any approaches.

He said: “I am not able to speak (about that) because I do not know what is going on.”

The ruthless decisions to drop Hart and another club linchpin, Yaya Toure, has detracted a little from City’s winning start to the season.

Guardiola has overseen victories in his opening three games and progress to the Champions League stage should be confirmed tonight, with last week’s convincing win in Romania leaving the second leg little more than a formality.

Guardiola is not looking at the game that way, however, and is demanding maximum commitment from his team.

He said: “I will make some rotations. I don’t know how many, they all deserve to play and I am so confident about all the players.

“But I have a lot of respect for the opponent and I know what happens in football. Everybody knows it’s not done until it’s done.

“I have seen many times in the Champions League – at half-time an experience­d team like AC Milan were 3-0 ahead and the final was done, but Liverpool won the final.

“I don’t like to play the game when people say it’s easy and it’s finished. No, a lot can happen.”

 ??  ?? Joe Hart: could feature tonight against Steaua Bucharest.
Joe Hart: could feature tonight against Steaua Bucharest.

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