Joe Hart says reaching his half-century of caps for England against Italy on Tuesday was a proud achievement.
The Manchester City goalkeeper made his debut in 2008, but became a Three Lions regular two years later and has been virtual ever-present since.
Italy 1-1 England
International match
Juventus Stadium, Turin
Wednesday 31 March 2015
Against the Azzurri in Turin he made a couple of important saves in the 1-1 draw to ensure Roy Hodgson’s men kept their unbeaten start to the season intact.
And he told FATV after the game that he wants to keep playing for as long as he can and is inspired by his opposite number in the Italian goal, Gianluigi Buffon, who recorded his 147th cap in front of his home Juventus fans.
“I’m really proud,” Hart said shortly after the game. “I was proud of my first cap, I was proud to represent the Under-21s, and 50 caps at my age is good.
“I want to keep going, that’s not the end for me. I just want to keep going, keep playing well for my club and country and rack them up.
Joe Hart and Andros Townsend speak to FATV
“I’m still learning my game and I’m still watching the likes of Buffon and the way he goes about his business at 37 years old. I’ve got a lot more learning to do and I want to do it in this team.
“[Buffon’s caps total] is a long way off, but it’s definitely a night to celebrate a terrific goalkeeper and a legend of the game, someone I personally look up to and it’s inspirational to see.”
It was not all positive for Hart, though, who conceded a 29th-minute goal scored by Southampton striker Graziano Pelle.
The keeper admitted England’s first-half performance was not up to the standards that have seen them win all seven games this season, prior to their trip to Italy.
But Tottenham Hotspur forward Andros Townsend popped up with a stunning late effort to level, and Hart says England were unlucky not to go on and will the game.
“It was a clever header [from Pelle], I don’t think any of us expected Chiellini to do what he did out on the wing. It was a good ball in and, it was disappointing for us," added Hart.
“They are a difficult team to get a goal against, but in the end we should have won, really”
Joe Hart on Italy
“But as bad as we played first half, they didn’t really have too many chances.
“I don’t think we’ve played like we have been playing post-World Cup, but we put it right second half.
“I’m super confident with Andros, I think he’s a super player and he’s really dangerous.
"He smashed that in and he wasn’t giving anyone a chance. It was a good goal for us and we’d have liked another.
He added: “They are a difficult team to get a goal against, but in the end we should have won, really.
“It’s not necessarily a great result for us.
"It’s a good result after turning around a difficult first half, but we would have like to have won.
"We put a lot of pressure on their goalkeeper – he’s a top keeper and made some good saves.”
