Source: Team_Talk
Hart salutes 'inspirational' Given
Joe Hart believes Shay Given should be left to decide whether he quits Manchester City after being axed as first-choice goalkeeper.[LNB] Hart was controversially selected ahead of Given for Saturday's Premier League opener at Tottenham, intensifying speculation the latter will ask to leave the club.[LNB]The build-up to the game saw both men threaten to quit if they found themselves out of the side and Given must now decide whether to follow through.[LNB]There appears little chance of the 34-year-old Republic of Ireland star regaining the number one jersey in the near future after Hart fully justified his selection at White Hart Lane with a world-class man-of-the-match display.[LNB]Manager Roberto Mancini insisted afterwards he would fight to keep Given at the club.[LNB]But Hart, who also cemented his status as England number one in front of the watching Fabio Capello, reckons it is up to Given whether he jumps ship.[LNB]"Me and Shay both have the same opinions in the fact that we both want to be playing football," the 23-year-old told City's official website, www.mcfc.co.uk.[LNB]"It's not my business; it's Shay's business. He's an experienced guy who's been in football for years, so he'll know what to do."[LNB]Hart revealed he had spoken to Given after learning he had got the nod in goal yesterday.[LNB]"I can't speak highly enough of the guy," he added.[LNB]"He's an inspiration keeper-wise and as a person he's great, someone I really look up to and someone I really respect.[LNB]"He's been different class and I'm sure whether it's here or whether it's somewhere else, he'll come again and show what a fine keeper he is."[LNB]That is precisely what Hart did yesterday as he pulled off a series of stunning first-half saves to secure a goalless draw against Spurs.[LNB]The result left mega-rich City's top-four credentials no clearer as their multi-million-pound signings went AWOL for the opening 45 minutes before finally turning up after the break.[LNB]It would have been too late but for Hart, although the keeper insisted centre-backs Kolo Toure and Vincent Kompany also deserved praise for some last-gasp interventions.[LNB]"I thought they were great," he said.[LNB]"When required, they really covered each other's backs well. Kolo swept up and Vinny made the block of the game for me.[LNB]"It was unbelievable."[LNB]Kompany was lucky not to see red after a fouling Jermain Defoe at the end of the first half, having already been booked.[LNB]Hart admitted: "He made a bit of a naughty tackle. But that's just Vinny.[LNB]"He plays with his heart on his sleeve, he makes some great tackles and he's so important for this team."
