Vincent Kompany has defended Manchester City teammate Joe Hart after the England goalkeeper was at fault for Wales’ goal on Thursday.
Hart failed to keep out a 35-yard free kick from Gareth Bale, but was rescued by goals from Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge as England came back to win the Group B clash 2-1.
And Kompany, working as an analyst for ESPN in France, believes that the goalkeeper is hugely important for Roy Hodgson’s men on and off the pitch.
“Never mind the mistake, [it’s good to] get it out of the door early,” he told said “It has not cost his team; he handled the rest of the game perfectly and everything before that.
“England are very lucky to have a goalkeeper like Joe Hart and, mark my words, there will be a save that he will make at some stage that will help England progress.
“As a footballer he has improved, but as a character in the dressing room he has taken up responsibility. He has big shoulders now and I think he thrives on responsibility now. That makes him a natural leader for the team, never mind his qualities on the pitch.
“Before people starting talking about the mistake, think about what England would lack if he wasn’t there.”
