Hogg keen to stay in the limelight
Monday, January 5, 2009
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Precociousness has marked Andrew Hogg's career since making his league debut aged 16, though having already established himself as a Malta's No1, the English-born goalkeeper is not about to rest on his laurels.
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Precociousness has marked Andrew Hogg's career since making his Maltese Premier League debut aged 16, though having claimed the title with Valletta FC and established himself as a international the English-born goalkeeper is not about to rest on his laurels.
'Ambitious footballer'
"I feel I am established both with Valletta and the Malta national squad, but it would be stupid to stop where I am," the 23-year-old told uefa.com. "An ambitious footballer always wants more and my main aim this season is to win the Premier League again." Eleven games in and they are making good progress, holding the last unbeaten record in the Premier League and lying just two points behind leaders Hibernians FC.
Positive performances
With goals at times hard to come by, Valletta's success has been founded on their defence, with Hogg conceding only seven in his nine appearances to date. "Last year I finished runner-up in the Malta Footballer of the Year award, so my performances speak for themselves," said the man born in Kingston-upon-Thames near London. "My performances have been positive enough for both me and Malta coach Dušan Fitzel to believe that I am now ready for the Malta No1 goalkeeper jersey."
Bari schooling
Indeed, having made his international debut in November 2006 Hogg has become a regular in and around the Malta squad, continuing a precocious rise that began when he made his top-flight bow for Pietà Hotspurs FC in 2001/02. A spell with AS Bari in Italy followed before returning to Pietà and establishing himself as one of the most reliable custodians in Maltese football. "It was a great experience to train with big players and under the coaching staff of former Italy stalwart Marco Tardelli," said Hogg. "I want to do it all over again, to play abroad."
Nucleus for success
For now though the keeper is focused on establishing himself as Malta No1 and claiming the title with Valletta, the side he joined in summer 2007. "It is still too early to say what will happen this season," he explained. "We have a good team, good coach, good committee and the best supporters on the island. Considered together this means we stick out among other teams on the island and I think we have the nucleus to win the Premier League for the second year running."