Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / SHREWSBURY
Graphics Version | Change to International Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Olympics 2012 | Other Sport... | Fun and Games | Photo Galleries | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip & Transfers | Premiership | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African | Women | Photo Galleries | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Score on BBCi | World Football

Wednesday, 20 February 2008, 11:17 GMT

Hart is clearly on Capello's mind

Joe Hart Fabio Capello appears to be eyeing up former Shrewsbury Town keeper Joe Hart as England's long-term No 1.

The rising young Manchester City keeper has been tipped to start against France next month - less than two years after he was playing for Town in League Two.

David James is perhaps too old at 37, Paul Robinson has lost form, and Scott Carson flopped against Croatia.

But Capello is already a Hart admirer. He said: "I've spotted a goalkeeper in the Under-21s who is very interesting."

Shrewsbury's commercial director Alan Stevenson, a former top-flight keeper with Burnley back in the 1970s, reckons that Hart has the chance to be an England keeper for 10 years.

"The goalkeeping position's up for grabs," said Stevenson. "And it's there for Joe to stamp his authority on it.


"There's always an England goalkeeper who comes up and makes the place his own - Seaman, Banks, Clemence, Shilton.

"There are several who've had their chance to take over from David James, but they've failed. I don't think Joe will.

"He's an excellent prospect, he's really flourishing in the Premiership, and once he gets that England shirt he'll go from strength to strength."

Hart himself remains level-headed. "I've always believed in myself, but being in the frame for England is still a shock, looking at where I've come from", he's told BBC Radio Shropshire.

Shrewsbury would benefit financially from Hart's successes.

There are Premiership and international strings attached to his move to Manchester City from Shropshire in May 2006 - and the deal could yet rise to £1.5million.



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Man Utd 1-2 Man City (10 Feb 08 |  Premier League )
Hart keeps his feet on the ground (05 Feb 08 |  Shrewsbury )
Man City complete Hart signature (24 May 06 |  Man City )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Shrewsbury fans' views on 606
BBC Radio Shropshire audio
Shrewsbury weather
BBC Sport League Two
Shrewsbury Town
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Olympics 2012 | Other Sport... | Fun and Games | Photo Galleries | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip & Transfers | Premiership | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African | Women | Photo Galleries | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Score on BBCi | World Football

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©