Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester City beware! Reading's free-kick King Ian Harte is worth a punt
Harte of Gold: Not long ago, Ian Harte's career was meandering to an end... now he's fighting for promotion[LNB]Ageing full backs usually fade into the background or slip down the leagues to end their playing days. Not Ian Harte. [LNB]The Reading defender has reversed the trend by swapping his dotage with Carlisle United for a tilt at promotion to the Barclays Premier League and an FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester City.[LNB]He is scoring goals for fun with his uncanny free-kick ability, as a remarkable 26 in the past two seasons testify. Not bad for a supposed washed-up superstar who, 10 years ago on Monday, was playing for Leeds in a 3-3 draw against Lazio at Elland Road. [LNB]By 2008, he was so desperate for a regular game that he went for atrial at Norwegian club Valerenga and then almost signed for St Mirren. He finally found a home at Carlisle, helping them to the onlyWembley appearance of his career in last season's Johnstone's PaintTrophy final, which they lost 4-1 to Southampton.[LNB] The winding road takes the 33-year-old to Eastlands. City ought to beware. For the first time in months, Harte has practised his free-kick taking. For all of five minutes. The talent which has given him a second coming as a player is so natural that the Irishman has never tried to hone it.[LNB]Harte said: 'I only practised them today because the Umbro ball is a little bit different to the Mitre ball we've been playing with. No, I didn't practise them when I was younger. I'm just lucky. [LNB]'For me, it's just a matter of putting the ball down and really concentrating, as it might be the only chance you have in the game. I've had plenty that have gone 10 yards over the bar. It's just that in the last few weeks, they've flown in. Hopefully I can stick one in the top corner at Eastlands.[LNB] Specialist: Since his European adventure with Leeds, Harte has had a knack for scoring free-kicks[LNB]'I signed a contract with Carlisle and I thought I was going to finish my career there. After Leeds I went to Spain to play for Levante for three years, then I came back to Sunderland but I didn't play.[LNB]'Sometimes you have to take a step back, or drop down the leagues, hope that your quality will shine through and that you will get the rewards at the end of it.[LNB]'Going to Carlisle wasn't about the money. I love the game and the most important thing was to be playing week in, week out for three points. [LNB] By Royal appointment: Reading dumped Premier League Everton out of the cup in the last round[LNB]'Even now, I'm just playing because I enjoy it. I'm not getting any younger but I've got another year here and I just want to play my best football for Reading.'[LNB]Eight goals in 30 games have rewarded the foresight of manager Brian McDermott, who saw the opportunity to replace departing midfield starlet Gylfi Sigurdsson lost to German side Hoffenheim for a reported ?6.5million with a ?100,000 bargain from League One.[LNB]McDermott said: 'Bizarrely, one of the reasons I bought Ian Harte to the club was his goals. We felt that he was a real good person with great experience and we knew that he could score goals from set plays.' [LNB] Leicester boss Eriksson: I wish I'd joined Manchester City two years later...MANCHESTER CITY v Reading: Balotelli a doubt but Tevez back for cup clashWest Ham flop Dyer rejoins old club Ipswich in month-long loan switchhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-city.html[LNB] Explore more:People: Brian McDermott, Ian Harte Places: Leeds, Spain
