‘JOE WILL FEEL SHREW LOVE’

JOE HART will receive a hero’s welcome on his emotional return to Shrewsbury – even if he gets another TV bashing.

Hart (right) who is expected to play in the televised FA Cup tie after being left out of West Ham’s last eight league games, made his debut for Shrewsbury at the age of 17, going on to play 54 times for them.

And the biting criticism he has received over the past 18 months has upset former Stockport, Manchester City, Shrewsbury and Crewe keeper Ken Mulhearn, 72.

Mulhearn, who won the league title with City in 1968, said: “None of the TV pundits are goalkeepers. They don’t know the ins and outs. Joe gets dropped by West Ham, but what more could he have done with that defence? He’s constantly being hammered and it’s not warranted. Luckily, he is a tough cookie.”

Mulhearn believes Pep Guardiola must share some blame. He added: “Without ever seeing Joe play, he deemed he wasn’t good enough.

“This emphasis now on ball skills... I don’t know how many years I played, but I never kicked the ball with my left foot. I wasn’t expected to dribble out, make pinpoint passes.

“Joe is coming to a club that still loves him and that should lift him.”