JOE’S READY TO PASS LEGEND BANKS
JOE HART can throw his cap into the ring as a true England goalkeeping great tomorrow.
The on-loan West Ham stopper will move past Gordon Banks (right) if he gets his 74th cap in the World Cup qualifier against Slovenia.
That would put him one game behind Arsenal legend David Seaman, who is second on the list of mostcapped keepers with 75. Peter Shilton’s benchmark of 125 for England looks out of reach. Hart said: “It is amazing to have that many caps. “It was not a dream to play for England because I just loved playing football. “To play for England was what other people did and I just loved to support. “Playing for my country is the proudest thing I can do. “It is amazing every single time the whistle goes to start the game.” Hart’s England future had come under close scrutiny and he admits he was given a pick-me-up by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate when he underlined that he was still his No.1.
That was music to the ears of Hart after being bombed out by Manchester City, going to Torino on loan last season and then having an indifferent start with West Ham this campaign.
“Of course it is nice to hear,” he said.
“Of the few opinions that matter to me, two of them are those of my managers and team-mates.
“For him to say that was a great plus for me but, you know, I understand he was probably fed up with questions about it.
“I will not read too much into it or be resting or relying on that. I will keep working hard every day. I have got some fantastic competition.”
Hart says he is enjoying a new lease of life with the Hammers.
The 30-year-old added: “I only enjoy football if I am winning so it has been up and down, obviously, after a tough start.
“But we have dug deep and got seven points out of a possible 12, which may not be great if you are going to win the title but was important for us.”
Hart feels his career might be on an upward curve again, adding: “Yes, but it was impossible to get on a downward curve though.”