Manchester City can win the Champions League, says Joe Hart

Joe Hart says Manchester City can make history this season and win the Champions League.

City have one foot in the quarter-finals for the first time in their history ahead of Tuesday's second leg against Dynamo Kiev following a 3-1 win in the Ukraine three weeks ago.

"It's going to be difficult. It's a really difficult tournament, but we've got to believe we can win it otherwise there's no point in turning up," said Hart.

"You could look at it as pressure, but it's something really exciting. I can only speak for myself, but it's really exciting being in this situation, going into the last-16 game with a good option of going through, doing something I haven't done before and creating history for this club."

City have struggled for success in Europe in recent years but Hart believes if the club want to reach their long-term target of becoming a footballing giant they must become champions of Europe.

Manuel Pellegrini's side have been inconsistent in the league this season and they will need to improve in order to secure their place in the Champions league next season with West Ham and Manchester United rivaling them for a top- four spot.

Hart, 28, said: "You've got to do well in Europe to get that label. We're fighting on a personal basis, a team basis. We've worked hard, we've been together a long time now and we need to improve, because it's a short career and we have to take advantage of the opportunities we've got at this club.

"It's very important we qualify but it's more important we focus on one game at a time. Obviously the next game is the Champions League and to try to progress in the tournament, and we'll take care of the Premier League when it comes along on Sunday.

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"I'm never going to concede anything while it's still up for grabs, and the Premier League is still up for grabs. But we have put that tournament to one side for the moment and concentrate on the Champions League."