ASHLEY COLE and John Terry might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
By SHAUN CUSTIS
But as far as England’s No 1 Joe Hart is concerned the controversial duo are sweet as sugar.
Cole has been in hot water again over his tweet labelling the FA “a bunch of t**ts”.
Chelsea team-mate Terry quit international football before being banned for four games and fined £220,000 for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.
Hart, though, won’t hear a word against either — as he has much to thank them for in helping him make the transition from club to country.
He said: “Ashley’s a great person and a great personality. He was very welcoming to me and I’ve noticed he’s like that with the young lads. That’s the beauty of him.
“If you don’t know him, you won’t know him. When you do, though, you will find he’s a really welcoming person.
“He’s had his issues and he doesn’t speak out especially. But he’s a great person to know and someone I really admire as a footballer.”
Cole, who has 98 caps, may be rested for what ought to be a ritual slaughter of San Marino at Wembley tomorrow but is sure to return for the game in Poland next Tuesday.
Having drawn at home to Ukraine, England need six points from their two fixtures and manager Roy Hodgson will want to be at maximum strength in Warsaw.
Hart said: “Ashley is one of the best and has been for a long time — so reliable, so fit, so quick and he offers so much.
“I can’t even think of a time that’s ever been highlighted where a winger or a forward has given Ashley a hard time.”
So what about the departed Terry? The Manchester City keeper, without realising the hint of irony in that statement, added: “You can put John in the same bracket as Ashley. John’s a great professional, a real inspiration football-wise and a good person as well.
“He’s a great centre-half, a great servant to his country and it’s a shame we’ve lost him. He still has so much ability.
“I played my first tournament behind him. He was like Ashley when I first came into the squad as a third-choice goalkeeper with no chance of playing. He treats me the same now as he did then.
“John is someone who I can’t thank enough for how helpful he’s been with me in the England squad and I respect him very, very much on and off the field.
“It’s a big blow but it’s John’s decision.” Even so, Hart believes the future is bright in central defence even without Terry. He said: “It’s solid and there’s places up for grabs all the time.
“Joleon Lescott and John seemed to have the shirts then Phil Jagielka came in last time and Gary Cahill is a great talent at Chelsea and a Champions League winner now.
“Ryan Shawcross has come in too having been so consistent for Stoke.”
Hart has been in superb form himself since the start of the season and earned worldwide praise for a sensational show for City against Dortmund in the Champions League.
But he could sit in an armchair against the world’s lowest-ranked team tomorrow. He warned: “Special people have said some nice things about me but it can all turn round pretty quick, especially with two internationals coming up.
“It doesn’t matter how good a side you are or how big the expectations, sometimes you are under the cosh and required to do things. It’s nice that I can help the boys when needed.
“I’ll enjoy it against San Marino because I’m playing for England.
“I won’t stand there and sulk because they are not coming near the penalty area.”
