Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has firmly responded to Roy Keane's recent comments suggesting City players should discard their medals. This follows the club being found guilty of breaching 114 financial rules by the Premier League.
Hart, who donned the City shirt from 2006 to 2018, expressed his complete trust in the club's chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
Responding to Keane's remarks, Hart stated:
Good for him. He says what people want to hear.
He’s not in this situation and never has been. It’s easy to talk from the sidelines, but I’m in the thick of it and feel quite different.
He added that even a potential stripping of titles would not alter his feelings about his career.
I’ve been asked about this a lot. I don't walk into a room banging my medals on the table. I honestly couldn't care less.
I'm proud of having lifted those trophies. I worked as hard as everyone else. There’s nothing better than having a medal hung around your neck.
Hart also addressed comments made by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who believes Manchester City should be stripped of their cups as a punishment for their financial misconduct.
Steven Gerrard is completely entitled to ask those questions. He’s one of the greatest players I’ve ever played with. I respect him as a person and a friend.
But right now, I’m fully behind my club and my people. I understand Stevie’s words. Maybe down the line, there will be time for reflection.
But for now, as a Manchester City man and a former player who loves the club, I can’t think that way. I can only be myself.
