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Joe Hart: No pressure ahead of 'special' Manchester derby

Joe Hart of Manchester City warms up during a training session at the Etihad Stadium
Image: Joe Hart: Relishing derby

Joe Hart insists he is not feeling the pressure as excitement builds in Manchester ahead of the first derby of the season, writes Sky Sports News HQ’s Fraser Dainton.

City are not in great form - winless in three games in all competitions, and their defence of the Capital One Cup ended with defeat to Newcastle. 

Joe Hart: Extended interview

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Meanwhile, United, are still something of an unknown quantity under Louis van Gaal - exciting going forward, but vulnerable at the back. 

No-one knows quite what to expect – but Hart cannot wait for Sunday.

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“It’s an amazing thing to be involved in,” says the City and England keeper. “This is a great city, with two very good clubs, both fighting to be at the top of their game.

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“It’s a special occasion, and I feel like I’m part of Manchester now, I’ve been here a long time. It’s something you definitely look forward to.”

As with any derby, pride and passion are on show in abundance and there’s no sitting on the fence - but Hart doesn’t like to get too carried away.

“You’ve got to put it in perspective and think of it as three points,” he adds. “Whether we’re playing against Manchester United or anyone else, especially at home.

“It’s three points that are up for grabs, and that’s what we need to get towards our goals. It obviously feels good on the day, but as soon as it’s over, you move on to the next game.”

City would love a win to reinvigorate their season, which is in danger of falling flat. Amid accusations that City have been “found out” this season, they find themselves with a six point gap to Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table, and struggling in their Champions League group.

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Another chance to see Manchester United's victory over Manchester City at Maine Road from April 1996, with Ryan Giggs providing a last-minute winner

The biggest problem has been in defence. City have had too many leaks at the back, and Hart doesn’t like it.

“I hate conceding goals. Any defender, any keeper, hates conceding. It’s the same old thing, if you win 6-1 you still get annoyed by the one. The main thing is results, and they’ve been the worrying thing at the moment, but we’ll be fine.”

We chat at the Etihad stadium, an interview opportunity laid on thanks to his support for a scheme called the Gillette Great Starts Programme.

Photo by Philip Oldham
Image: Joe Hart: "As a Gillette ambassador, I’m more than happy to be supporting Movember this year" (Photo by Philip Oldham)

Coaches across all sports are being encouraged to apply for finance which will helpthem gain qualifications, and further their careers. This year, 50 lucky recipients across 22 sports are feeling the benefit, the hope being that they will go on to help thousands of the next generation of sports stars.  

Hart remembers his first coach - Dave Timmins at Shrewsbury - with great fondness.

“People like Dave are priceless," he says. "There were twenty of us training on a random pitch, just because he wanted to. I don’t think he even needed to. He coached the first team during the day, and he pushed me forward right from the age of 14, and I was training with him to be with the first team. He must have seen something in me that I didn’t particularly see in myself.”

Having now established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League, everyone at City is no doubt glad he did.

Watch the Manchester derby live on Sky Sports 1 this Sunday from 12.30pm

Gillette is a proud partner of Movember for this year's campaign. For more information, please visit uk.movember.com

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