Big Interview Fraser Forster

I take Hart from pal Joe’s good luck texts.

Fraser Forster watched Joe Hart’s FA Cup Final dream end in tears.

Now the Celtic keeper wants to ensure he avoids the same disappointment as his international team-mate by lifting the Scottish Cup this afternoon.

The 25-year-old has struck up a friendship with the England No 1 from his involvement in Roy Hodgson’s squad over the last 18 months.

So he had commiserations for his countryman as Manchester City suffered a shock defeat to Wigan, a result which arguably cost Roberto Mancini his job.

Forster raced home from his own side’s victory over St Johnstone on May 11 to watch the Wembley encounter.

He believes it serves as a timely warning to anyone who believes the SPL champions simply have to turn up to face Hibs at the National Stadium today to secure the Double.

Forster said: “Joe has been fantastic with me since I broke into the England squad.

“Despite being one of the most high-profile goalkeepers in the game, he is actually really down to earth and very humble.

“The first thing that struck me about him when I joined up with the squad was just how hard working he was on the training ground.

“You don’t get to the level he has without being extremely dedicated and he treats every training session like a game.

“It’s been useful, on the occasions I’ve been included in the England squads, to work beside him and learn how he deals with certain situations.

“You never know when you can use it to benefit your own game or career.

“I’ve kept in touch with him. He regularly texts to wish me good luck before a big game and I obviously do likewise.

“When we beat Barcelona, Joe was one of the first to text and congratulate me on a fantastic result.

“Obviously, I felt for him when City lost the Cup Final. I don’t think there was anything he could have done to prevent the Wigan goal, and with it coming so late in the game, there wasn’t enough time remaining to find an equaliser.”

It is, of course, highly unlikely Forster or any of his team-mates would require any additional reminder of the dangers of not turning on the style during a showpiece game, given some of their recent Hampden disappointments.

Celtic failed to reach the League Cup Final earlier this season when they lost to St Mirren, and last season they went down to Kilmarnock in the League Cup Final before being beaten by Hearts in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

Forster is also well aware there have been surprise results in Cup competitions throughout Europe during the current campaign.

He’s determined to do everything within his power to help Celtic end the season on a high.

“The Manchester City-Wigan result just goes to prove anything can happen on the day,” said Forster.

“You can be strong favourites, but if you aren’t at the top of your game on the day, then you can find yourself in trouble.

“City had a lot of chances earlier in the match but didn’t take them.

“But it was a huge achievement for Wigan, and it is certainly a timely reminder for us going into today’s game.

“This has actually been the year for the underdog. Swansea won the League Cup Final, Wigan won the FA Cup and in Scotland, St Mirren won the League Cup.

“All three teams deserve credit for their respective Cup successes but who’d have predicted it?

“Look at the Champions League as well. I don’t think at the start of the competition too many people would have bet on an all-German Final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and for those teams to have eliminated Barcelona and Real Madrid.

“And just the other week I watched Atletico Madrid defeat Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey Final, which was once again another surprise result.

“It goes without saying I hope there isn’t another one this afternoon!”

Although yet to earn his first England cap, Forster’s outstanding displays, especially during Celtic’s run to the last 16 of the Champions League, appeared to have been enough to convince Roy Hodgson he was worthy of a place in his squad.

The England manager’s decision to omit the Parkhead shot-stopper for the forthcoming friendlies with the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday and Brazil next weekend has cast doubt over the Celtic keeper’s ability to remain in the international set-up while playing in Scotland.

Naturally, it is something which alarms Forster.

His club manager, Neil Lennon, also expressed concern that Forster may have to consider a move to the English Premier League to realise his international ambitions.

Forster admitted: “I’m disappointed not to have been included in the squad.

“I desperately want to be on that plane to the World Cup Finals in Brazil next summer as it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Playing well for Celtic and being involved in the Champions League got me into the England squad.

“Hopefully we’ll be back in there again next season and that can help my case. Certainly, I fully expect to be back at Celtic preparing for the new season.

“The highs of beating the likes of Barcelona are in the past. At Celtic you can’t afford to look back you always focus on the future.

“I actually believe this season has been a huge success.

“We won the League and not only did we qualify for the Champions League group stages, but we managed to reach the last 16.

“Now we’ve got to try and finish the season on a high by winning the Scottish Cup.”