Joe Hart is closing in on England ’s goalkeeping greats — but is still striving to be accepted in the elite club.
Hart will go past World Cup winning hero Gordon Banks when he wins his 74th cap against Slovenia at Wembley on Thursday, which would also put him just one behind David Seaman's total.
Peter Shilton leads the way with a massive 125 caps.
Hart admits it is “amazing” to be in that company but he is also still determined to improve himself, especially as he is facing new competition for his place as England’s No1.
The 30-year-old, on a season's loan from Manchester City to West Ham, said: “It is amazing to have that many caps.
“I have often said it was not a dream to play for England because I just loved playing football. To play for England was what other people did and I just loved to support.
“First of all, to play for my country is the proudest thing I can do.
“It is amazing every single time the whistle goes to start the game. I love playing for my country but the most important thing for me is to do something with that.
“I have qualified for tournaments. That is done. It is not about qualifying any more, it is about trying to hunt and be part of that special moment when England do well at a tournament. I want to be part of that.”
Hart first went to a World Cup as a reserve in 2010, became Manchester City’s No1 and established himself with some brilliant man-of-the-match performances in the Champions League.
But having been forced out of the Etihad under rock-star manager Pep Guardiola, this is a new chapter in his career, and he still believes he can be as good as he was five years ago at the peak of his powers at City.
Hart, who also spent last season on loan to Torino of Italy, added: “I feel like I am ready and organised for anything that is going on in the game.
“I am trying to improve. I am trying to save every shot that comes my way.
“At my age, I know that is not entirely possible. But I want to give myself the best opportunity to do that, working at training and analysing what I can do to move forward.”