Joe Hart believes he can end England’s long search for a goalkeeper capable of earning headlines for heroics rather than howlers.
Ever since Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman retired from international soccer in 2002, England have struggled to find a top-class replacement as bad luck and bad form left a string of contenders flat on their backs.
Now Manchester City star Hart is being tipped to be his country’s first choice for the next decade as he prepares for his competitive debut against Bulgaria today.
It’s a big test for the 23-year-old because he knows so many others have tried and failed over the years.
Paul Robinson briefly looked to have cracked it before a terrible error in Croatia in 2006 saw him air-kick a back-pass and watch forlornly as the ball trickled into the net during a crucial defeat.
Not that he is alone in the England hall of goalkeeping shame.
David James was dropped after a clanger in Austria in 2004 and never completely regained the nation’s trust, while Scott Carson made an even worse mistake against Croatia in 2007, allowing a weak shot to bounce off his gloves into the net as England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
And, of course, Robert Green’s woeful mistake against the US in South Africa which allowed Clint Dempsey to equalize in a 1-1 draw probably tops the lot.
Now it is Hart’s turn to try to restore the reputation of England’s goalkeepers.
“I know the history; you watch what happens, you hear what happens, but at the same time I don’t think you can live in fear. You’ve got to be ready to take on the challenge and do as best as you can,” he said.
“If you think ‘what if I do this wrong’ it’s a terrible way to think. You’ve just got to go out there and not even try not to make mistakes, just try and do your best, believe in what you can do,” Hart said.
“But if something did happen, I’d have to cross that bridge when I came to it and be strong and confident that it was something I could just sweep under the carpet,” he said.
“Yes, it’s [a] pressure situation because it is a big job to be given but it is an exciting one as well,” Hart said.
“I think you’ve got to embrace the situation and enjoy it because if you live in fear it’s no good. These are the best times of your lives and you’ve got to enjoy them,” he said.
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