Joe Hart ready to stake claim as England's number one
Joe Hart has spoken of his determination to become the established first-choice goalkeeper for both club and country.
The 23-year-old has got the new campaign off to a tremendous start as he is yet to concede a goal between the sticks this season in both the English Premier League and the UEFA Europa League. He has played in every one of City’s games so far this campaign after moving ahead of previous number one Shay Given in manager Roberto Mancini’s thoughts, while he justified his selection after a string of top saves in the opening day 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
Hart is hoping that his strong form will translate onto the international stage. He is set to make his competitive debut for England as they kick off their UEFA 2012 European Football Championship qualifying campaign with matches against Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday and Switzerland next week.
'Enjoying every game'
The goalkeeper told reporters that: "I'd love the opportunity to establish myself but I'm just working hard and enjoying every game at the moment with Man City. We've got a few extra games in the Europa League as well and there are lots of opportunities to play and that is what I love doing. I'm enjoying it at the moment. Hopefully that will all tie together and I'll try and get into the team on Friday."
Hart came to prominence last year when he enjoyed a stellar year on loan at EPL outfit Birmingham City. His outstanding performances led him to be nominated for the 2010 Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award while he was also named in the PFA Team of the Year.
Opportunity for fringe players to shine
He added that, with a number of squad regulars such as John Terry and Frank Lampard ruled out through injury, there is a different mood in the England camp as several other players aim to try and establish themselves as important players for their country.
Hart said that: "Everyone is looking forward to Friday because there are a few opportunities for people who maybe would not get as much of a chance if the established players are here. There are a couple of opportunities for people to set their marker and be involved in something special. [The Euro 2012 qualifiers] are huge games and huge for the country and it will be exciting to get that opportunity [to play in one of them]. But I am just training hard and doing my best to get in the firing line for [the Bulgaria] game."
He was one of the players which Capello took to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Despite great optimism among fans that England could do well at the tournament, the team endured a dismal campaign which saw them win just one of their three group stage games before crashing out 4-1 at the hands of Germany in the knockout phase. Hart, however, did not feature in South Africa despite Robert Green’s infamous error in the 1-1 draw with the United States.
'Can turn fortunes around'
Though the players and Capello came in for criticism by the press after their average display, Hart claimed that England have the ability to turn their fortunes around and become successful once again.
He said that: "The aim is to get back on track. We've got so much respect for the opposition. No international is easy. The countries that are not as easy to play against, they put 11 behind the ball, like in the Hungary game. But you've got to find a way to win and luckily we have got lots of winners in our team. A win on Friday can lift everyone. That is why it is huge."
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