Source: Team_Talk
Hart open to extended Blues stay
The 22-year-old is currently on a season-long stay with Alex McLeish's side after slipping down the pecking order at Eastlands.[LNB]Shay Given's arrival from Newcastle relegated Hart to bench duty and former boss Mark Hughes allowed him to leave on loan.[LNB]Hart has gone from strength to strength with Blues and is a strong candidate to make Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup finals.[LNB]The talented shot-stopper has enjoyed his time with Birmingham and has confirmed he would be interested in staying for another year.[LNB]"I was obviously struggling for a game at Manchester City," he told the Daily Mail. [LNB]"Birmingham made their intentions clear. They have given me a chance.[LNB]"There wasn't much goalkeeping movement last summer and I really wanted to stay in the Premier League.[LNB]"I'd be open to staying another season on loan but I need to see what Manchester City think at the end of the season.[LNB]"I'm here and 100 per cent focused on Birmingham until then."[LNB]Hart began his career with Shrewsbury Town and he admits spending time in the lower leagues makes him appreciate his time at the top.[LNB]The Blues ace has played alongside some of the best in the business and concedes that seeing their dedication ensures his feet remain on the ground.[LNB]"You don't really appreciate what professional football is about when you are a young boy," he continued.[LNB]"You think it's still a game. Then you enter the professional world and realise how serious and intense it really is.[LNB]"At that level, it's as serious as the Premier League. It means a lot to the boys. You need to win. You need to do well. Players need their appearance and win bonuses.[LNB]"It made me grow up quickly and realise just what sort of world this is. I ended up doing a proper apprenticeship at Shrewsbury. I had a great teacher in Nigel Vaughan, our youth team coach.[LNB]"So I appreciate everything I've got now. I know where I've come from and I won't forget it. When you are around the great players - like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand or Shay Given, David James - you watch and learn and see how they don't take anything for granted.[LNB]"They work their socks off every day because it could be snatched off them. So I'm going to work hard and try to enjoy every minute of it. I feel I get more out of it when I enjoy it. All I want to do is play."[LNB][LNB] Birmingham v Wolves Clean Sheet: Birmingham 6/5
