Dad predicted England's Hart's star goalkeeping future when he was 2

London - England star striker Joe Hart's dad, Charles Hart, realised his son may have a future as star goalkeeper when he was just 2 yrs old.

Hart Sr. reckons the Manchester City No 1 was born with the sort of talent that only comes along once in a blue moon.

"Most children haven't got the motor skills or the physical strength at that age. But he has natural strength and eye-hand coordination. So he became a goalkeeper. But he could have been anything. Guys like him only come along once every blue moon," The Sun quoted Charles, as saying.

Now, the whole nation is hoping the Three Lions keeper will prove it in tonight's Euro 2012 clash with Italy in Kiev if it ends in a shootout.

Charles still smiles as he recalls the day he realised his boy was going to be one in a million.

"I was a sportsman myself and since then I've also worked in the fitness industry, so I feel I've got an eye for talent. I was in the garden with Joe when he was just two and threw a ball to him from 30 feet away, not really expecting much. And he caught it. I couldn't believe it. It was then I knew he was going to be something special. It was unreal," he said.

"He's just an exceptionally talented sportsman, he was an excellent cricketer and every summer he wishes he could still play it," he added.