Roy Keane has cultivated a reputation as one of the biggest pundits in British football, but one former England star won't be taking notes from the Irishman on how to do his new job
Pundit and former player Roy Keane working for ITV Sport before the international friendly match between England and Senegal at the City Ground
Joe Hart is looking to do things a little differently to Roy Keane when it comes to his punditry work
View 2 Images
Former England star Joe Hart won't be taking cues from Roy Keane in his new role. That's after the Irishman previously took a tough tone with the ex-Manchester City goalkeeper, dubbing him "cocky" and "arrogant" in the past.
One year after bringing the curtain down on a decorated career, City icon Hart has moved into the world of punditry himself. But the retired No. 1 is eager to stick to the facts and not allow his personal perceptions cloud his judgement.
"That was probably the first bit of negative press I got," he said. "I'd been very much riding a wave. 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."
It was back in 2012 that Keane suggested Hart had grown "cocky" in his England duties. The following year, he moved on by dubbing him outright "arrogant" and suggested he deserved to be dropped.
In The Mixer regular Joleon Lescott, who spent five years playing alongside Hart at City, came to his old team-mate's defence. And it was his assertion that pundits should stick to commenting on what happens on the pitch, rather than delving into personal opinions of player personas.
Hart continued: "I agree with Joel, but I also think, 'You do you.' If that's how you want it, that's what you think and that's what's going to work for you. Like, I can't tell anyone how to behave. I've actually come into the punditry role now. Sometimes I question myself and I think, 'What is my job here?'
Joe Hart speaking on Match of the Day
New pundit Hart was once labelled "cocky" and "arrogant" by Keane during his England days
View 2 Images
"Because sometimes early on in my career, I've been asked questions and I've gone, 'I don't want to answer that.' You know, constantly now, a conversation will come around someone's jobs. 'Do you think pressure’s starting to mount?'
"I just go, 'Look, I'm not talking about pressure [mounting]. That's someone's job, that's someone family'. I'm not gonna talk about it. You want me to talk about the results or how I think the team's playing? Not a problem. I'm not heaping any pressure on anyone's job or anyone's place in a team. That is not for me to do."
Hart is becoming a frequent fixture on the media circuit and is now a Match of the Day regular. And it may not be long before the former City staple and Manchester United legend Keane find themselves in close company on a more frequent basis.
Content Image
Content Image
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.