With Guardiola confirming that a £17m deal for Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was “almost done” following the 6-0 aggregate win against Steaua, Hart is expected to leave City before next Wednesday’s transfer deadline.
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But the spotlight at a less than full Etihad Stadium fell squarely on goalkeeper Hart, who was making his first competitive appearance of the season after being frozen out by Guardiola. “I think he’ll do well”.
He said: “I am here to take decisions”.
The Chile worldwide, 33, has been identified by City boss Pep Guardiola as his new number one keeper.
“When you play long balls, okay, you can win the balls, and maybe some times I have that experience”.
In what could have been Hart’s Eastlands farewell, Manchester City fans have reacted on Twitter to the goalkeeper’s evening between the sticks and paid tribute to him. “I have had a lot of good nights in football but it was a really nice night”.
The ground where Hart has plied his trade over a decade where City’s fortunes have changed from also-rans to major title winners was a venue backed with emotion, as an uneventful game settled by Fabian Delph’s second-half header became nearly a sideshow to terrace tributes for the club’s longest-serving player.
While Sevilla and Borrusia Dortmund had both expressed interest in signing the Englishman, BBC reported that Hart is not interested in joining either of them. “He is clear with me and me with him. I really appreciate the people at Manchester City and it turns out they appreciate me”.
Guardiola explained: “Joe is still a player for us”. I am so happy with what he did today. Some good and some bad but I try to be honest. He has done more than I might do at this club.
“Outside of the charade and all the rubbish that is talked we are dealing with it like men and we are going to come up with a solution”. We were not in the right decisions. We have 28 players, so 17 players are always not playing. “You have to accept and follow me, the way I want to play”.
“We wanted to build on a good victory away from home”.
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Sterling suffered more than most from England’s disappointing European Championship campaign and attracted unwanted attention off the field, but Guardiola has no doubt his player will prevail.
