Thursday 6 October 2016 19:26, UK
English-born Malta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg says he "feels sorry" for opposite number Joe Hart ahead of their World Cup Qualifier on Saturday.
Hart is part of Gareth Southgate's squad to face Malta in his first game as interim England manager, before a trip to Slovenia on Tuesday.
Hogg, who was born in Surrey and lived in England until he was five, admits goalkeepers across the game are now being challenged to play with the ball at their feet and expressed sympathy for Hart, who was sent out on loan by Manchester City as Pep Guardiola opted to bring in Claudio Bravo from Barcelona.
"I've followed Joe's situation quite a lot and, yes, I feel sorry for him," Hogg said.
"Goalkeeping is changing, for sure, I've seen the same thing playing in Greece and even in Malta. Even though the quality is not the same they are all looking for goalkeepers who can pass.
"I understand the reasoning of the Manchester City coach, it makes sense, but at the end of the day it happens and you have to deal with whatever football or life throws at you.
"Football is a game of confidence and you will go in and out of form, but the best fight back and stay at the top. Joe got himself to Torino and Serie A is a great league."
Asked if he might look to show Hart up with some neat footwork of his own on Saturday, Hogg said: "With my club I play more of that game, not so much the national side."
Hogg has instructed his 15-strong support of family and friends to only cheer for Malta at Wembley as they watch on from the away end.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but you can't lose your mind about the glitziness of the stadium or the situation," he added.
"You focus on your job and be a professional. We've played Italy four times in recent qualifying and they never took the mick out of the us.
"We want to leave with our heads held high, to gain respect from everybody and make the most of our chance to do the Maltese people proud."
