FORMER England goalkeeper Joe Hart has hit back at Roy Keane after being labelled “cocky” and “arrogant” by the Manchester United legend during his playing career.
The 38-year-old has moved into punditry since hanging up his gloves last year.
He made his debut at Euro 2024 and now regularly appears on Match of the Day.
Hart is now determined to stay in punditry full-time and establish himself as one of the most knowledgeable in the game.
And he recently asserted that he does not want to make players feel the same way that he was made to feel after being the subject of some negative comments from Keane at the peak of his career.
The Man Utd icon labelled Hart “cocky” and said that he was “relaxing too much” following a mistake he made in a 2012 World Cup qualifier against Poland, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
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He later branded him “arrogant” and said the goalkeeper should have been dropped altogether.
Speaking to Joleon Lescott on the In The Mixer podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Hart reflected on the difficult period and explained: “I was really happy with how I behaved on the pitch.
“I loved the relationships that I had with my teammates, and I loved the relationship I had with opponents – I never wanted to cross the line with anyone.
“I loved playing football, so how on earth can that come across cocky? I don’t know. I adored the game.
“That was probably the first bit of negative press I got. I’d been very much riding a wave.”
Discussing Keane’s punditry style, he added: “He’s made it very clear that he just says things. I’ve actually worked with him once.
“I was willing to work out what he was as a person. Was this something that he harboured deep inside him? He just says stuff. I doubt he wouldn’t have been able to recall that moment.
“He don’t care. But I take huge responsibility in my new role. Huge responsibility. I know the impact of my words.
“I know the impact, especially now social media, I know how that can bring needless attention to someone who’s minding their own business and going about.”
Hart made 348 appearances as a player and was capped 75 times by England.
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