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Harry Kane aiming to captain England long term after 'most special moment' against Scotland

He pointed to the Three Lions' experience with the Royal Marines last week as helping them against the Scots

Miguel Delaney
Chief Football Writer
Sunday 11 June 2017 22:32 BST
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Harry Kane celebrates his late equaliser which salvaged a point for England
Harry Kane celebrates his late equaliser which salvaged a point for England

Harry Kane has pointed to England’s experience with the Royal Marines last week in explaining how the side “stayed calm” to claim a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser despite conceding two late free-kicks in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Scotland at Hampden Park.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker described that as “the most special moment” of his international career, as he complemented captaining the international side for the first time with that key late goal, and thereby showed exactly the type of leadership Gareth Southgate had asked for in the build-up.

Kane meanwhile said he would like to wear the armband in the long term, but that the manager had given no indication on a permanent decision. Hampden Park had been rocking after Leigh Griffiths scored two free-kicks after the 87th-minute to make it 2-1, but England - and Kane - kept composure with a fine equaliser.

“We stayed calm,” Kane said. “Being away with the marines, we spoke a lot about being ready for any situation can happen and if things do take a turn for the worse, be ready for that and never drop our heads. When we went 2-1 down a couple of lads could have been on their knees or heads in hands being gutted but we stuck our chests out, walked back to the centre circle and tried to get something from it. And we managed to do that.

“It was probably the most special moment, personally. I did not want to lose my first game as captain, that is for sure – especially against Scotland. To score that goal… it has been a while since I scored a goal for England. It was a special feeling for me.”

Kane revealed that Southgate had only told the 23-year-old he would be captain before training on the Friday.

“It was quite emotional. He told me just before training. A lot of emotions, lots of proud feelings and when I got back I told my family and my missus. They were delighted. It was something I have always dreamed about as most kids do. So, to be given that opportunity by the gaffer and how the game panned out, to manage to score in the last minute was a very proud moment.

“I have said before I would love to be England captain. Obviously I don’t know what the gaffer’s feeling is on it. He has given me the armband today and I have gone out there… When you are on the pitch, not much changes. We have got leaders in the team it is just I am wearing the armband. I still play the same way. I still talk, I still shout in the same way. That is what is good about this team. People look at one player now to drag them through but we have plenty of leaders in the team to try and change the game. For me it was great to get that goal and be captain but whoever the gaffer chooses, there are plenty of leaders.”

Speaking generally on “leadership”, Kane said the experience with the marines had helped, and praised Rooney as a previous England captain who had personally helped him and privately called him.

Harry Kane finished with aplomb to rescue England's long unbeaten record

“A big part of it is about being in difficult situations,” Kane said of the boot camp. “Standing up to it. We had a couple of marines come here from the weekend to watch. It was great to see them. We made some good mates there. In the marines, they are life and death situations and we took as much as we could from the game and stood up to be counted. We did that.

“When I first came into the England squad, Wazza [Rooney] was great with me. He talked to me. Even as I was doing well with my club he was giving me a little phone call or text to say ‘things could change for you as you play more and get bigger’. He was great with that, giving me his experiences of what he had gone through. I played under Hugo Lloris, France’s captain who I will see on Tuesday. He is totally different. He is very calm, you respect him. I have had great captains in my career so far and if I can take anything from any of them I will be happy.”

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