Hart and soul still in it
Adam says Gordon and Greegsy show him and old Burnley pal time is far from up
ADAM LEGZDINS reckons he and Joe Hart can take Premiership inspiration from Premiership golden oldies Craig Gordon and Allan McGregor.
The Dundee keeper reckons the Hearts and Scotland No.1 at 40 and Rangers star McGregor, a year younger, have shown that age is no barrier.
Legzdins is just 35 while his close friend and former Burnley teammate is a season behind.
He believes that keepers are now looking after themselves and are getting better with age.
Legzdins said: “It might be the back end of Joe’s career but it’s not in this league when you look at Craig and Allan.
“One is 40 and the other is close to that and they’re still top goalies. They are two of the oldest keepers in the division and two of the best as well.
“If Joe could play for another four or five years he’d be delighted and I’m sure that he can. I would be the same.”
Legzdins revealed the keeper he looked up to was former Ajax and Manchester United star Edwin van der Saar.
He reckons the Dutchman’s coolness under pressure helped inspire his own game, which has led to a healthier mindset when it comes to results.
Legzdins: “I like calm keepers. Van Der Saar was a calming presence at the back. That also comes with experience – you know who you are and are more equipped for what is going on around you.
“You can deal with the highs and lows better.”
Legzdins has watched Hart breathe new life since he moved north to Celtic after having a rough go of it over the last few seasons, playing back-up at Burnley and Tottenham.
He’s returned to the sort of form that saw him become England and Manchester City’s No.1, putting in another big performance as Celtic lifted the first trophy of the season on Sunday, when they saw off Hibs in the Premier Sports Cup Final.
Legzdins said: “I sent him a text after the final. He’s doing well and added another piece of silverware to what has been a glittering career so far.
“He is a goalkeeper I know well and I am delighted to see him do so well.”
The Englishman knows that
Hart was written off in some quarters but was adamant that those who knew him and worked closely with him knew that was a view that was well wide of the mark.
Asked about his old mate, Legzdins claimed: “He has had a fantastic career that has had highs and lows.
“I don’t think he has been written off by too many people in the game who know what a top keeper and professional he is.
“He is a top keeper and it is not surprising to see him perform like he is right now for Celtic.”
While Hart is gunning for glory at Celtic, it is more of a struggle at the other end of the table for Legzdins and Dundee as the Dens Park men face a tough fight against the drop this season.
The goalie helped them win promotion via the play-offs but a crippling injury list has curtailed the Dark Blues and left them scraping at the bottom end.
They have lost their last four games on the bounce but Legzdins doesn’t think they are too far away from turning things around and they will be boosted by financial backing for James McPake in January.
He said: “This week has been a tough one. The two results, Hibs and Hearts, were close and on another night could have been completely different.
“It is disappointing with the results but we need to take encouragement from the performances.
“I could have been sitting here with two clean sheets and what could have been more invaluable points.”