'I'm a Man City icon Roy Keane dubbed cocky and arrogant – I refuse to copy his methods'

A former Manchester City star has said he refuses to replicate Roy Keane's punditry style after the Man United icon previously labelled him "cocky" and "arrogant"

Former Manchester City favourite Joe Hart has made it clear he won't be following Roy Keane's confrontational approach in his new punditry role. Particularly after the Irishman previously branded the ex-England goalkeeper as "cocky" and "arrogant."

Twelve months on from hanging up his gloves following an illustrious playing career, the City legend has transitioned into broadcasting. However, the retired shot-stopper is determined to remain factual and avoid letting subjective opinions influence his analysis.

That's precisely how he interpreted Keane's earlier assessment of his character. Speaking on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet, Hart was questioned about his response to Keane's "cocky" remark from more than a decade ago and his current perspective on those observations.

"That was probably the first bit of negative press I got," he said. "I'd been very much riding a wave. He's made it very clear that he just says things. I've actually worked with him once. I was willing to work out what he was as a person. Was this something that he harboured deep inside him? He just says stuff.

"I doubt he wouldn't have been able to recall that moment. He don't care. But I take huge responsibility in my new role. Huge responsibility. I know the impact of my words. I know the impact, especially now social media, I know how that can bring needless attention to someone who's minding their own business and going about."

Keane famously labelled Hart "arrogant" back in 2013, suggesting the goalkeeper deserved to be dropped from the England squad. He also previously called him "cocky" one year prior, suggesting he was getting above his station between the posts.

Former City team-mate Joleon Lescott, a regular on the In The Mixer podcast, leapt to Hart's defence. And he argued pundits should focus on performances rather than making personal judgements about players' characters.

Hart continued: "I agree with Joel, but I also think, 'You do you.' If that's how you want it, that's what you think and that's what's going to work for you. Like, I can't tell anyone how to behave. I've actually come into the punditry role now. Sometimes I question myself and I think, 'What is my job here?'

"Because sometimes early on in my career, I've been asked questions and I've gone, 'I don't want to answer that.' You know, constantly now, a conversation will come around someone's jobs. 'Do you think pressure's starting to mount?' I just go, 'Look, I'm not talking about pressure [mounting].

"That's someone's job, that's someone family'. I'm not gonna talk about it. You want me to talk about the results or how I think the team's playing? Not a problem. I'm not heaping any pressure on anyone's job or anyone's place in a team. That is not for me to do."

Hart has become a regular on Match of the Day and is increasingly making his presence felt in the media world. It may not be long before the ex-City stalwart and Manchester United icon Keane find themselves sharing screen time more often.

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