Joe Hart believes that Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is as good as any player he has ever played with.
The 34-year-old former England, Manchester City and Spurs goalkeeper, now at Celtic, has played with many of the Premier League's top players. However, he said in an appearance on podcast In The Stiffs, that Kane is up there with the very best he has lined up alongside.
"The best finisher there was Kane and best player there is him," said Hart. "I was with him for three years previously with England and thought he was awesome, a top player, but he really is a top player. I saw him three years later and it wasn’t just because I was with him every day it’s because this lunatic is still improving. He’s still getting better because of his mentality and work-ethic.
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"He’s a phenom. Some people when they have good days they’re unplayable. When he has a good day he’s actually perfect. His heading, his pass, his touch, his finishing. He’s [as good as I’ve played with] and I’ve played with some good ones!"
Hart was also asked about Gareth Bale, who returned on loan to Tottenham last season and had a mixed time, struggling for minutes under then Spurs boss Jose Mourinho but still managing to score 16 goals.
"Laid back is an understatement but in there he is protecting himself," explained Hart. "He's definitely been hurt by what has gone on at Real Madrid. Anyone would be - the guy is a legend, a superstar, and for some unknown reason to anyone the whole place turned on him and that hurt Gaz.
"He was a bit off it, injuries and that, but there were days you could tell he felt comfortable with his body. He's very aware of feelings and he knows, he's come to a point in his career where he's not going to rip a hamstring for anyone.
"He's exceptional, there were days where, phwoar... he wasn't starting games but then something happened and he started feeling comfortable in his body."
Bale returned to Madrid at the end of his loan and Hart was unceremoniously unloaded himself by the then new Tottenham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo last summer after just one season and 10 appearances for the north London outfit.
"There was a big change going on at Tottenham. They needed a lot of people out and a lot of people in," said the goalkeeper. "[Nuno] proceeded to call me in. I knew they were signing another goalkeeper and I was like: 'Do we need to have a conversation?' He said that we'd speak after training.
"He was like: 'I'll speak first. Let's be absolutely clear, no matter what happens, you'll not kick a ball this year. I had got on really well at the club, people had bought into what I was trying to bring and I was like: 'Right, okay.' He said you'll be free to work with the sporting director to get yourself out. However you want to play it, play it.
"I said just out of interest, remove yourself from the situation, you used to be a goalkeeper, why has it come to this? Why have I gone from being whoever I was to being completely surplus to requirements in a squad, to not even being able to back up the first-choice? Speak freely.
"He just went: 'In my opinion, we all reach a point in our career where the body won't allow you to play football. We're at it now. I would not feel comfortable with you playing one minute for me. The ball's too quick for you, you're too old, you're not moving, you've got no strength in your body.'
"He literally buried me and I'm laughing because, whether I'm deluded or not, I was like, I don't agree with any of that. I asked for your opinion, you have given it, it's not what I wanted to hear and I am going to have to take myself out of this situation.
"I literally went home and I am completely baffled here, I think I'm done, I can't be (expletive) anymore. I can't sit in a room anymore and have that said to me by him."
Hart would move to Celtic soon after where he has since made 46 appearances already for the Scottish side this season.
