Joe Hart’s imminent elevation to the full England squad comes as no surprise to Dave Timmins, the coach who helped set the ex-Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper on the road to stardom.
Local lad Hart, 20, has enjoyed a meteoric rise from life at the Gay Meadow to become a household name as Manchester City’s first choice in less than 18 months, writes STUART DUNN.
And now he’s expected to receive his first call-up to the senior England squad for next month’s friendly against France in Paris after new manager Fabio Capello dropped a broad hint earlier this week.
Timmins, now goalkeeping coach at Preston, remains in regular contact with Hart and is proud to have played a part in the former Meole Brace School pupil’s rise to prominence.
He first worked with Hart as a nine-year-old and then helped him develop through the Gay Meadow ranks to make his first team debut at 17.
“I still speak to him a couple of times a month and have seen him play four or five times for City this season,” said Timmins. “He’s done brilliantly but I can’t say I’m really surprised.
“Preston played Coventry a few weeks ago when Tim Flowers, who worked with Joe at Man City last season, was still there. We agreed there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be in the England squad.”
Hart has attracted rave reviews for his City displays, helping them beat Manchester United in their last outing, but Timmins admits he was a little concerned when Hart suffered a finger injury on the eve of the season.
He needn’t have worried, though, as Hart has since become first choice at Eastlands as well as holding down a spot in England’s under-21 side.
“The lad’s brave, mentally as well as physically,” said Timmins. “We know what type of lad he is and how good a keeper he is. His positional play is good and he makes good saves, and when he does make mistakes, he just gets on with it.
“He will keep his head as he’s got a good family behind him, and he’s also at a good club in Manchester City.”
Talk of a first full England cap is good news for Town as they stand to collect another £500,000 when it happens as part of the £1.5 million deal which took him to City in May 2006.
