Hart sees long road to greatness

Joe Hart last night set his sights on being England’s “rock” at the European Championship but admitted he had a long way to go to match the country’s goalkeeping greats.

Despite having only 18 caps to his name and never playing at a major finals, Manchester City star Hart is already being compared to Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton, as well as his hero, David Seaman.

England coach Roy Hodgson has suggested the 25-year-old could be England’s key man at Euro 2012, stressing how vital Banks and Shilton had been for their various managers.

But Hart, who will make his finals debut in Monday’s Euro 2012 Group D opener against France said: “People get wrapped up in the moment and comparisons are easily made.

“I’ve got a long way to go to get anywhere near those two goalkeepers that you just mentioned. I’m on my journey as a goalkeeper. I’ve got 18 caps and I want to improve on that at every opportunity, first and foremost on Monday against France.

“I’m just looking forward to building something and being that rock that England need.”

Hart understandably had not seen a great deal of Banks’ performances but was well aware of “the save” against Brazil at the 1970 World Cup.

He was much better acquainted with childhood idols Peter Schmeichel and Seaman, although he had yet to meet the former England and Arsenal star.

“I always pester Patrick Vieira about him — he played a lot of years with him,” said Hart, who is arguably his country’s first undisputed number one since Seaman retired.

The man who won his first Premier League title this season added: “It’s not a case of, ’I am great, I am untouchable’. It’s just that I know what I can do, I know what I am required to do and I enjoy doing it.”

The curse of the goalkeeper is that they tend to be remembered more for their mistakes than by their saves, as Robert Green found out on his own finals debut at the 2010 World Cup.

Hart was among the substitutes then — considered too raw to risk. He was also a spectator when Seaman was left red-faced by Ronaldinho’s chip at the 2002 World Cup, proving even the greats foul up.

Hart admitted he should have done better himself in last year’s 2-2 draw with Switzerland during Euro 2012 qualifying.

He said: “If I could go back onto the pitch, rewind the game and start again, I would. But you can’t.

“I just don’t get too wrapped up in it. I think about it technically and what I could have done better. Was it laziness? Was it whatever? And then I move on.”

The great keepers are also defined by how they bounce back from disappointment, something Hart has done for both club and country.

As well as being held back at the World Cup, he also had to bide his time before ousting Shay Given from the City side two years ago.

“There have been stages where things haven’t gone great for me,” Hart said.

“But there’s no point getting lost in it and doubting yourself.”

Hart has a reputation for being confident — cocky even — but he has never forgotten his Shrewsbury roots and is still in touch with former goalkeeping coach Dave Timmins. He said: “He’s one of those goalkeeping coaches who did the under-11s, 12s, 13s, 14s, 15s, 16s, first team, reserves, drove the kit van, did the lot.”

Hart is currently working with a new coach with England in Dave Watson, who Hodgson drafted in to work alongside Ray Clemence.

The Watson regime is “a whole lot different”, according to Hart, to that under Franco Tancredi, who used to call the City star “John”.

Hart said: “He’s just very, very professional and takes so much pride in his work. For me personally, I just feel brilliant. There’s no language barrier, the service is different. They’ve both got totally different methods.

“I’ve found that working with Italian goalkeeping coaches at my club and working with English goalkeeping coaches, they’ve got different methods, but they’re both geared towards results and to improving you as a goalkeeper.”

Hart may need to be at his best on Monday, when he could come up against City team-mate Samir Nasri.

The banter has already begun.

“One minute you’re hammering each other, saying this is what’s going to happen,” Hart said.

“Then it breaks down to a serious chat where you talk with the respect you’ve got for each other as players, and then it turns into abuse. It’s just how young guys talk.”