Hart: LFC star has made me grow
Joe Hart claims Steven Gerrard has helped him grow as a player.
Hart won a Premier League medal in 2011-12 and is established as one of the top goalkeepers in Euro 2012 - but he is still in awe of our skipper.
Gerrard was named the permanent captain of England by Roy Hodgson ahead of the tournament in Poland and Ukraine and, according to Hart, the appointment was inspired.
"He's been great," said the Manchester City stopper.
"Personally, he expects a lot of me. When a guy like that looks to you to perform, it means a lot.
"When he turns around and says 'You need to do this' it makes me grow as a player."
Hart describes Gerrard as someone who leads by example rather than an in-your-face skipper in the mould of Terry Butcher.
"He's an inspirational leader in what he does," said Hart.
"He's not going around looking people in the face and telling people they're not doing the right things, but he leads by example.
"He is a model professional, someone who's been there and done it.
"He just inspires."
Meanwhile, Scott Parker has also praised Gerrard's performances at Euro 2012 ahead of England's quarter-final clash with Italy.
Parker was named captain ahead of Gerrard by interim manager Stuart Pearce following Fabio Capello's departure, but despite having to step aside under Hodgson, the Spurs midfielder has nothing but good things to say about the man now wearing the armband.
"Steven has been fantastic since we've met up. He is a leader that does his talking on the pitch in the way his football does a lot of talking," Parker said.
"I am thriving in playing alongside him. He is someone who I have always looked up to and he is a fantastic player."