<
>

Joe Hart inspired by Italy's Gianluigi Buffon after earning 50th England cap

play
Second half improvement pleases Rooney (1:00)

England captain Wayne Rooney and goalscorer Andros Townsend gave their verdict on Tuesday following their side's 1-1 draw with Italy in an international friendly in Turin. (1:00)

Joe Hart said he was inspired by his Italy counterpart Gianluigi Buffon as he celebrated the landmark of reaching 50 caps for England.

The Manchester City goalkeeper reached the milestone in Tuesday's 1-1 draw in Turin, during which Buffon represented the Azzurri for a record 147th time.

And while Hart accepts he is nowhere near emulating the 37-year-old veteran, he has set his sights on having a similarly long international career.

The 27-year-old became youngest goalkeeper to appear 50 times for England and only the sixth in all, after Gordon Banks, Peter Shilton, Ray Clemence, David Seaman and David James.

"I'm really proud," Hart told the FA's official website. "I was proud of my first cap, I was proud to represent the under-21s, and 50 caps at my age is good.

"I want to keep going, that's not the end for me. I just want to keep going, keep playing well for my club and country and rack them up.

"I'm still learning my game and I'm still watching the likes of Buffon and the way he goes about his business at 37 years old. I've got a lot more learning to do and I want to do it in this team.

"[Buffon's caps total] is a long way off, but it's definitely a night to celebrate a terrific goalkeeper and a legend of the game, someone I personally look up to and it's inspirational to see."