Joe Hart is still eager to improve despite being hailed as the best goalkeeper in the world by England colleague Wayne Rooney and Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini.
The England number one earned those plaudits after a stunning performance for City in their Champions League draw with Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium last week but the 25-year-old, speaking ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier with San Marino at Wembley, admits he is determined to scale even greater heights.
"It's nice people say nice things but things are easily said. In goal, you can be the worst in the world two days later if you are on television and something mad happens in the game," Hart said. "You've got to try and take the rough with the smooth. It was great and a real special honour for some special people to say some nice things but we move on."
He added: "You've got to remain level-headed. If you don't, it's a big slap when you do something wrong.
"Then people are going to say bad things about you but that's football.
"You can't go too far one way or the other or you leave yourself vulnerable."
Hart admitted: "I'm still trying to improve. I hate to say it but I am getting a bit older now so I have to get in a bit earlier and prepare my body a bit differently.
"I just know every day I want to be the guy you can rely on. I want to be the best.
"I want to work hard on saving every shot. Pretty simple really. I've got no silly targets like I need to win this and I need to do that.
"I need to keep working hard, keep my love and passion for the game and hopefully good things will come."
