Hart calls for cup success

Joe Hart has called on his Manchester City team-mates to follow up on their successful qualification for next season’s Champions League, and win the first major piece of silverware in 35 years. City’s 1-0 victory against Tottenham this week has made sure they will finish in at least fourth place in the Premier League, ensuring Champions League football will be played at Eastlands next season. The battle will be on City to go on and lift the FA Cup trophy this Saturday when they face Stoke in what the football odds suggest could be an interesting game.

Hart was delighted to have achieved the club’s first part of the plan set out for the club this season, the goalkeeper now hoping to reward City’s loyal fans with their first piece of silverware since the 1976 League Cup.

“Qualifying for the Champions League means the world. We are the players and we are employed to give performances and get results and regardless of the money spent by the club, we are a team and we have shown that,” he said.

“We now need a trophy and that is this Saturday. We got this tonight and we now need to give these fans a trophy.”

In his first full season as City’s first choice keeper, Hart has certainly backed Mancini’s decision to opt for the 24-year-old ahead of the experienced Shay Given. The FA Cup final betting indicates he will have a huge role to play in the game.

The usual routine of English goalkeepers being questioned by the media should he make a single mistake has been and gone for Hart, with the impressive youngster proving his quality and ability to bounce straight back from any previous mistake, although they have been few and far between this season. Lifting the FA Cup this weekend would round off a thoroughly successful season for Hart on both a personal and team level. Stoke will certainly be well aware of the task they will have in finding away past City’s young stopper.