Harper’s focus on Tigers’ task not his future

STEVE HARPER, Hull City’s oldest ever player after being drafted in to replace Allan McGregor at St Mary’s, insists no decision on his future will be taken until the end of the season.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Apr 2015, 07:30 BST
Hull City's Steve HarperHull City's Steve Harper
Hull City's Steve Harper

At the age of 40 years and 28 days, the veteran goalkeeper beat the late Eddie Burbanks’s long-standing club record by making his first appearance since early January.

Harper’s one-year contract expires in June, but he is adamant all thoughts on whether to continue or retire are on hold until after the final day on May 24.

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He said: “I have had a couple of calls or sniffs about continuing as a player, but I am not even remotely considering making any decisions until the end of the season.

“There are about half a dozen of us (out of contract), but I am at an age where I can afford to concentrate on doing everything possible to keeping this club in the Premier League.”

Harper moved to the KC Stadium in the summer of 2013 after 20 years at Newcastle United. He has since made 26 league and cup appearances, and on Saturday beat a record set by Burbanks in the early Fifties.

On replacing McGregor in the wake of several costly mistakes by the Scot, Harper said: “I didn’t know I was in the team until the manager put the team up at 12.30pm (on Saturday). The manager had said he had a decision to make. We went for a walk like we always do and I saw him having a chat with Allan.

“But I didn’t know until he put the team up.”

Hull are without a game next weekend due to Liverpool’s involvement in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Related topics:Allan McGregorTigersPremier LeagueNewcastle UnitedHull