Tuesday 23 August 2016 17:50, UK
Joe Hart is good enough to adapt to what Pep Guardiola requires from a goalkeeper and save his Manchester City career, says Joe Lewis.
Guardiola appears on the verge of signing Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who has arrived in England for talks, but admitted on Tuesday that Hart could play in City's Champions League qualifier with Steaua Bucharest and maintained he did not know if it would necessarily be his last game for the club.
The City manager has turned to his old club to recruit Bravo due to the Chile international's style of play but Lewis, who was an England squad member beside Hart under Fabio Capello in 2008, believes his former team-mate could be just as effective.
The Aberdeen goalkeeper told Sky Sports News HQ: "When you set the levels he (Hart) has, you're going to get scrutinised.
"I do feel for him a little bit but knowing Joe and the character he's got, he'll bounce back and do really well this season wherever he ends up.
"For the last few years you've had to be good with your feet as a goalkeeper and you do what you're asked by the manager.
"If Joe wasn't asked to do that so much in the last couple of seasons then he didn't do it, but I'm sure he's good enough to adjust to whatever he is asked to do."
Hart's uncertain future comes off the back of a number of mistakes he made playing for England at Euro 2016, conceding soft goals in matches against Wales and Iceland.
Asked if the 29-year-old should still be considered first choice for his country, Lewis added: "That's what Sam Allardyce is paid to make decisions for.
"He's certainly one of the best three English goalkeepers so he has to be in the squad. It will be interesting to see what the manager does. "
Lewis, meanwhile, is optimistic Aberdeen can challenge Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title this season.
They have finished second behind Celtic in each of the last two campaigns and meet Brendan Rodgers' side on Saturday.
"It would be massive. Anyone who goes there and gets a good result is going to be pleased.
"It's going to be difficult but we feel confident going into the game. We've had a busy start to the season with the European games so we feel ready to go into it.
"We feel in decent form and positive to get a good result. Last season we fell away a little bit towards the end but I think we've strengthened so hopefully we can push them and go one better."
