CIERAN SLICKER used to worship Joe Hart as he carried out his ball-boy duties behind his goal.
Now they’re so close the former Celtic keeper was one of the first to congratulate him on his Scotland call-up.
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Slicker’s early years as a kid at Manchester City spanned the whole of Hart’s time as the club’s No 1.
The ex-England goalie was the player Slicker modelled his game on.
Now he can’t believe the two of them have become friends in recent years.
Ipswich ace Slicker, 22, said: “I was at City from the age of seven and Joe was the keeper for six years from when I joined.
“I really looked up to him. I was ball boy when he was playing and seeing him up close was amazing.
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“He was my idol and I always wanted to do what he did. At Christmas I’d always be asking my mum for the new Joe Hart shirt. I’d get other stuff like his boots and his gloves.
“As time went on I was lucky enough to get a bit closer to him.
“The story is a bit crazy. My ex-girlfriend’s dad knew him well, so I went to a few of his son’s birthday parties and actually met him there.
“From there, I spoke with him and kept in contact. I still message him sometimes and he messages me. He was in touch recently to say congrats on the call-up.
“It’s still crazy I can say that. If you’d told me when I was a 12-year-old ball-boy for him that I’d be able to message him and ask how he’s doing and stuff now I would have said no way.
“Obviously he’s a great person to have if I ever need him. I’ve got my idol there if I want to ask him something.
“He’s just a great guy, so down to earth and I couldn’t put a good enough word in for him.”
Slicker quit City to move to Portman Road just over a year ago and was there as Kieran McKenna’s side won their second successive promotion to reach the Premier League.
He admits joining Ipswich was a culture shock to start with.
Slicker, who won 17 caps for Scotland’s Under-21s, said: “I didn’t know what real football was.
“I’d been with City’s 21s and the first team a bit, but I hadn’t sat in the changing room every day with the squad. Ipswich was the perfect place to go though.”
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