Hart laughs off England captaincy talk

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has laughed off calls for him to be the next England captain, saying only his mum is backing him.

The England number one was considered a strong candidate for the armband before it was awarded to Scott Parker by interim manager Stuart Pearce for last week’s friendly defeat to Netherlands.

Hart, 24, insists he does not consider himself a genuine contender for the permanent captaincy and has backed Parker to continue to lead the Three Lions at Euro 2012.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s just my mum getting it out there saying she wants her son to be England captain,” Hart told Goal.com.

“It’s not really been on my mind, it’s discussed behind the scenes. Whenever I’ve been anywhere near anyone who has any kind of pull with that kind of thing it’s never been mentioned.”

“Of course Scott has the qualities. I think he showed it. I think every time he’s played, whether he’s been getting the love he has been recently or when he was the forgotten man, he’s still doing brilliantly.”

“When you speak to Scottie, his desire and approach to the game hasn’t changed. He’s just seen in a more positive light and I think it was fantastic the way he led his country. I was proud to stand behind him.”

In addition to having no permanent captain, England are also managerless following the resignation of Fabio Capello last month over the John Terry affair.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is hot favourite for the job although Pearce has declared his desire to take the team to Ukraine and Poland despite ruling himself out as a long-term candidate.

Pearce gave Hart his debut in the England Under-21 set-up and the City goalkeeper would be happy to have the former left-back in charge for Euro 2012 despite recognising the “wonders” achieved by Redknapp at White Hart Lane.

“I can only speak from my past experiences with Stuart Pearce and I’ve enjoyed every single one,” Hart said.

“He’s given me every single opportunity that was in his power to give me. I’ve got nothing but praise for him.”

“I try and stay out of those kind of things (the managerial situation), it’s not for me to get involved in.”

“But (Harry Redknapp) has done wonders at Tottenham and I’ve never heard a bad word said about him, so he seems to be a sensational manager.”