England vs Spain: Joe Hart admits he needs to tone down pre-match antics

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Standard Sport14 November 2016

England goalkeeper Joe Hart has consciously toned down his pre-match routine after criticism he was excessively motivated during his country's ill-fated Euro 2016 campaign, he confessed to reporters on Monday.

Hart was caught on camera thumping his chest and bellowing at his team-mates in the tunnel prior to games at Euro 2016, with former England striker Ian Wright accusing him of being "too pumped up".

At fault for goals against Wales in the group phase and in England's calamitous last 16 defeat by Iceland, Hart was then frozen out at Manchester City and is rebuilding his reputation on loan at Torino.

"I am always trying to learn and adapt. Obviously the Euros wasn't my finest hour," Hart said ahead of England's friendly against Spain on Tuesday.

"I needed to have a think about how I played and what I did, and maybe change a few things; speaking to the people that count, seeking advice.

"(Interim England manager) Gareth (Southgate) and I spoke about it. You find a way. I've got a lot of energy and a lot of passion. Questionably, it could have been too much.

"There are ways of channelling that. I am constantly evolving, constantly trying to be the best I can be, and learning from things that didn't go too well is definitely a way of doing that."

Hart, 29, has become so popular with Torino's fans that a group of the club's supporters travelled to London to watch him in England's 3-0 win over Scotland in World Cup qualifying last Friday.

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