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Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish hopes to keep Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart
Scot insists Hart's time with England will come...
4 Mar 2010 22:33:00
By Alex Stamp
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has admitted he would love to keep on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart at St Andrews next season.
The 22-year old stopper joined Birmingham on loan from Manchester City in the summer, and is set to return to Eastlands at the end of the season having won rave reviews for his performances this season.
With Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given turning in sterling performances for City, however, McLeish admitted he was hopeful Hart could return again next term.
"City won't be happy about me talking publicly about this but Joe has been tremendous," he said.
"We want to keep him, we'd like to see him stay for another season. He wants to stay.
"City are his club, in terms of the ownership of the contract, and we respect that.
"But we hope at some stage that City can give us a bit of goodwill."
McLeish admitted that, in Given, City already have a "top class" 'keeper, but insisted that the chances of Birmingham managing to sign England hopeful Hart on a permanent basis were remote.
"They have a top class 'keeper in Shay Given and, unless someone comes in with a ridiculous offer for Given, you can see him staying at the helm with City for the next two or three years," he added.
"It would have to be a loan deal because City have said under no circumstances will they sell Joe."
McLeish went on to claim that Hart’s chances of being England goalkeeper at the World Cup looked bleak after he spent Wednesday’s friendly with Egypt on the bench, but insisted that the 22-year-old’s time with the national team would eventually come.
"Joe will probably be disappointed he didn't feature," the former Rangers boss added.
"But Capello is a top coach and I don't think anyone can question his decisions. Joe is only 22, he is young, and Fabio will probably go for experience in the World Cup.
"The jump to international level is enormous and one little error for any player and you are scrutinised to massive levels.
"It is early days for Joe but his progress is fantastic. He should be proud of that.
"He doesn't have to be too disappointed about not featuring with England at the moment. I am sure his time will come."
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The 22-year old stopper joined Birmingham on loan from Manchester City in the summer, and is set to return to Eastlands at the end of the season having won rave reviews for his performances this season.
With Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given turning in sterling performances for City, however, McLeish admitted he was hopeful Hart could return again next term.
"City won't be happy about me talking publicly about this but Joe has been tremendous," he said.
"We want to keep him, we'd like to see him stay for another season. He wants to stay.
"City are his club, in terms of the ownership of the contract, and we respect that.
"But we hope at some stage that City can give us a bit of goodwill."
McLeish admitted that, in Given, City already have a "top class" 'keeper, but insisted that the chances of Birmingham managing to sign England hopeful Hart on a permanent basis were remote.
"They have a top class 'keeper in Shay Given and, unless someone comes in with a ridiculous offer for Given, you can see him staying at the helm with City for the next two or three years," he added.
"It would have to be a loan deal because City have said under no circumstances will they sell Joe."
McLeish went on to claim that Hart’s chances of being England goalkeeper at the World Cup looked bleak after he spent Wednesday’s friendly with Egypt on the bench, but insisted that the 22-year-old’s time with the national team would eventually come.
"Joe will probably be disappointed he didn't feature," the former Rangers boss added.
"But Capello is a top coach and I don't think anyone can question his decisions. Joe is only 22, he is young, and Fabio will probably go for experience in the World Cup.
"The jump to international level is enormous and one little error for any player and you are scrutinised to massive levels.
"It is early days for Joe but his progress is fantastic. He should be proud of that.
"He doesn't have to be too disappointed about not featuring with England at the moment. I am sure his time will come."
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
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