Hammer of the Scots is happy for Hart
That’s why he was delighted to see Joe Hart go a long way towards restoring his reputation with his Man of the Match display in England’s 0- 0 draw away to Slovenia last month.
Hart had a bad Euros, where he was at fault for two of the four goals he conceded, and then found himself out of favour with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
The keeper had to move on l oan to Torino in Serie A to guarantee himself regular football, and he now seems certain to be the Three Lions’ last line of defence at Wembley on Friday night.
Seaman is impressed wth how Hart is bouncing back.
“His display in Slovenia was brilliant for Joe,” he says. “I was so pleased he replied in that way to shut a lot of people up.
“He didn’t have the best summer, and then he comes back toManchester and finds he is not wanted by his club. That is a massive kick in the teeth.
“It wo u l d n’t have worked with his England career if Joe had stayed around on the bench, so to go abroad and get firstteam football was a great move for him.
“Now he’s playing top quality football, and he can take that ont o the international stage with him.”
Seaman i s dubious about the reasons behind Guardiola’s decision to ditch Hart amid a desire to find a sweeper keeper.
And what’s more, the man capped 75 times by his country, isn’t a fan of Hart’s replacement at City, Claudio Bravo.
“Talk about being a sweeper-keeper is nothing new,” he argues.
“What about back in 1990 when I was doing that for Arsenal?
“It was made as a bit of an excuse to get rid of Joe. Anyway, Joe’s distribution is great.
“Now yo u look at Claudio Bravo and he is getting found out. He is not a third centre- half, he’s a goalkeeper. We’re not brilliant with our feet.
“You can’t tell me that Bravo is a miles- better keeper than Joe Hart. I am not having that.”
Sc o t l a n d’s visit to Wembley is a fixture that has great memories for Seaman.
His penalty save from Gar y McAllister at Euro 96 was the catalyst for England’s memorable run to the semi-finals.
Seaman adds: “That was the turning point for us. We needed to win.
“I made the penalty save – and then two minutes l ater, Gazza scores an easy goal and nicks my limelight!
“Then we went to Hampden for the Euro 2000 play- off and won 2- 0. Back at Wembley, they won 1-0 – and I made a save right near the end from Christian Dailly.
“So I’m probably not flavour of the month with the Tartan Army!”