JOE HART admits life with Mario Balotelli can be frustrating — then claimed the Italian striker is one of the most loved players in Manchester City's dressing room. Balotelli has hit the headlines on and off the pitch since joining City from Inter Milan last year and only last weekend was involved in another high profile incident.
The fire service were called to Balotelli's Cheshire home in the early hours of Saturday morning after a firework set off from inside his bathroom started a blaze.
The Italian was forced to decamp to a hotel but the incident failed to ruffle him as he revealed a T-shirt saying 'Why Always Me?' after his first goal in yesterday's 6-1 rout of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old rarely seems far from controversy. But after netting six times in his last five games, Hart has grown to love his temperamental teammate.
The England goalkeeper said: "I think we were all a bit unsure last season, outside and inside, what he was about.
"I think he has grown as a person and accepted who and what he is in this team. He is someone we look to.
"All the hype that comes with Mario is standard procedure. That is the beauty of football, that is what he is.
"You get these characters and sometimes it is frustrating to be with him, but not so much this season.
"His head is really screwed on and we are all 100 per cent behind him. I think everyone is delighted he is getting the right kind of love he deserves."
After clashing with boss Roberto Mancini during the pre-season tour of the United States, Balotelli appeared to become to fourth-choice striker after reacting angrily to his substitution in the Community Shield in August.
But the former Inter star has since earned praise for his attitude in training and the ongoing controversy surrounding Carlos Tevez has offered a chance to play his way back into Mancini's affections.
Hart added: "Mario is a great player and he is using his head for all the right things.
"He is doing all the right things and is working well with the team.
"I can't say enough positives about him. He is a team player, he scored his goals and I am delighted for him."
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