Sport

Hartless? Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart could face England axe after Scotland blunder, says Roy Hodgson

By Marios Papaloizou

Manchester City shot-stopper Joe Hart’s position as England’s number one goalkeeper is under scrutiny after his blunder against Scotland.

The City star conceded a weak goal from a James Morrison shot against the Scots on Wednesday night and now England boss Roy Hodgson admits he is ‘keeping an eye’ on Hart.

While Hodgson has said that he will not drop Hart for England’s next match Hodgson’s comments will have put England’s back-up goalkeepers on red alert.

“Joe’s place is as much open to competition as anyone else’s. I can’t give guarantees,” said Hodgson.

“He was gutted, the first thing he did at half-time was apologise to me for letting in the goal.

“But it is not a perfect world. Good players make mistakes; I wouldn’t leave him out of the next game because he made that mistake.”

Hodgson is not keen to create momentum ahead of next summer’s World Cup and, while he is reluctant to chop and change his team, he is content with his goalkeeping options.

“Ben Foster is a good goalkeeper and now we have the experienced John Ruddy back as well. Jack Butland also has talent.

“We might not have 20 but we have a good four or five.

“I hope I am not going to be the type of guy who chops and changes at every mistake but I will be watching him closely in the coming games.

“Hopefully he will produce a few wonder games for City.”

Image courtesy of ITV Sport via YouTube, with thanks

 

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