Hart interview "shows how much he cares", says Given

Shay Given says Joe Hart's emotional TV interview following last weekend's draw at Crystal Palace will be appreciated by the West Ham fans.

Hart called his West Ham team-mates "unprofessional" after they allowed Wilfried Zaha to score a 97th minute equaliser in Saturday's 2-2 draw with bottom-of-the-table Palace at Selhurst Park.

Leading 2-1 deep into injury-time, West Ham committed four men forward on a counter-attack, but Michail Antonio's cross was poor, and the Eagles were able to begin their own attack which culiminated in Zaha's equaliser.

The England goalkeeper has been criticised for publicly calling out his team-mates in public, in a post-match interview with BBC's Match of the Day, but 134-time capped Ireland international Given says he understands the frustration of his former Manchester City team-mate, and believes the West Ham fans might appreciate his honesty.

Hart has endured a difficult start to his career at the London Stadium, and has struggled to win over the Hammers' supporters since joining the club on a one-year loan deal from Manchester City in July.

The 30-year-old conceded 10 goals in his first three Premier League games, and was arguably at fault for Jose Izquierdo's goal in the Hammers' 3-0 home defeat to Brighton on 20 October. 

"Joe said at the start of the interview that he maybe shouldn't say what he was about to say, because he was so raw coming off the pitch," Given told eir Sport ahead of Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Liverpool at the London Stadium, which is live on BT Sport 1 on the eir Sport platform [kick off 5.30pm]

"But there was camera crew in front of him. He was angry and upset, but I thought it was refreshing because you could see how emotional he was.

"Some fans complain that players don't care any more, so it was good for the fans to see how much he does care, and appreciate how much it means to him.

"Joe had had such a great, phenomenal game on a personal level, probably his best game for West Ham, but sometimes you say stuff in the heat of the moment.

"I feel for Joe, because the next day the press were all asking about Antonio's cross, and not talking about how brilliant Joe was in the game."

Hart and another of Given's former team-mates, Stoke City's Jack Butland, will be in action for England next week in the friendly internationals at Wembley against Germany on 10 November and Brazil on 14 November, and Given is interested to see which of the two will be England manager Gareth Southgate's No 1 for next summer's World Cup finals in Russia.

'Joe is hugely experienced at Premier League, Champions League and international level, but Jack is now where Joe was at maybe six or seven years ago," Given continued.

"Jack is on the road that Joe was on then - Joe is in possession of the No 1 shirt but Jack will push him very hard.

"I expect they will get a game each against against Germany and Brazil, with Gareth Southgate giving Jack a chance to shine as well.

"The competition is healthy for Joe - when you have someone coming up behind you, you always want to train that little bit harder, because you know someone wants your spot."

On Saturday, 4 November, West Ham host Liverpool at the London Stadium, live on BT Sport 1 on the eir Sport package [kick off 5.30pm].

Shay Given is part of eir Sport's expert panel for the channel's Champions League coverage. Shay's autobiography "Any Given Saturday" is available in all good bookshops.

Image: Getty Images/Nigel Roddis

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