Getting to the top is one thing, but staying there is something else entirely. Harry Kane can attest to that. It’s what drives him: staying at the top of his game for as long as possible.
Fortunately for England, the prolific striker shows no signs of taking his foot off the gas.
That is good news for Lee Carsley, who will undoubtedly need Kane to be sacked if he is to realise his ambition of turning his current role as England caretaker manager into a permanent one.
The 31-year-old striker, who is about to reach his 100th international cap, spoke about his past, present and future at international level. The present? Goals. The future? More goals. “Staying at the top is probably the most difficult thing,” explained the Bayern Munich striker.
“You see a lot of players who have a few good seasons but then they go downhill and I think the hardest thing is to keep it up and play consistently at the highest level. To play consistently at a high level is really difficult. That’s why I have so much respect for (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Lionel) Messi and these players.
Harry Kane outlined his England ambitions ahead of making his 100th appearance
Kane earned his 99th England cap in their Nations League win over Ireland at the weekend.
Kane believes he still has a major role to play as captain in England’s title-winning ambitions.
‘Being able to do it for 15 or 20 years requires a certain mindset and a certain achievement.
‘For now, tomorrow (Tuesday) I’ll be 100 caps, and that’s one of the reasons I’m really proud. As England’s No.9, you’re up against some great competition, some of the best strikers in England trying to take your place.
‘You have to be able to set a high standard every time you’re in camp, every time you train or play. I’ve been able to do that and I’m proud of it because it’s not easy.
“I think I’m still as keen as ever. I love playing for England. Even when I was younger I loved watching England, I was a big England fan.
‘Every camp I come to, I don’t want to miss a single match. I want to represent my country for as long as I can.
“As long as I’m at the level I’m at, I know I can help this country succeed. That motivates me.
‘Even after the summer, we were very close to achieving the ultimate dream of playing for England. But it didn’t happen.
“Now I think: ‘OK, I know I can help this team win again. A World Cup in two years…’
The prolific striker shows no indication of taking his foot off the accelerator.
Kane has not looked back since scoring for England, netting inside 80 seconds after replacing Wayne Rooney against Lithuania in 2015.
Sixty-five goals have followed since his first and Kane is set to reach his century for England before calling time on his international career.
On Monday afternoon, during his presentation on the pitch, he fondly recalls his best moments with England. Of course, his first goal against Lithuania occupies a prominent place in his memory.
There are also special mentions for his last-minute winner against Tunisia at the 2018 World Cup, his goal in the Euro 2020 victory over Germany at Wembley and his goal in Naples against Italy that allowed him to overtake Rooney to become the nation’s all-time top scorer.
He considers his best international goal to be a 25-yard strike in a World Cup qualifier against Poland in September 2021. Looking ahead, however, Kane acknowledges that scoring goals is no longer his only job when facing England.
“I still remember it (his debut goal) like it was yesterday. I was really looking forward to playing a game for England when I arrived at the training camp,” Kane said.
We played Lithuania at home so I was hoping to score some goals early because it would give me more chances to get in and that’s what happened.
‘There were about 20 minutes left, Roy (Hodgson) told me he was coming on and I was just waiting on the side of the pitch for quite a while. I think the ball didn’t go out until about four or five minutes later and I thought, ‘Someone’s fouled me or something.’
“It was special to come on to the pitch for Wayne, who was a huge idol of mine. I felt all those emotions at once, but I don’t think I could have dreamed it any better. That was what I dreamed of as a kid, to play for England at Wembley and score a goal. It all happened that night.
“But now I’m in that boat where we’ve got young players like Morgs (Morgan Gibbs-White), Angel (Gomes) and these players who are coming up and now they’re looking to me to guide them into these experiences. I’m enjoying that part of my journey and also being captain. That’s where I’m at.
Kane revealed his all-time favourite England goal was a long-range strike against Poland in 2021
Kane has suffered two consecutive defeats at the Euros as captain of the Three Lions
‘I think throughout my career, players have seen me training as well, you know, sometimes I do a group finishing session, but I can go off on my own, organise a more specific one for myself, then players come and join my sessions.
‘I think from my point of view now, you have a reputation as one of the best scorers, people want to learn, people want to see what you’re doing.
‘I’m always open to sharing my experiences, sharing my thoughts with the new players in the team now, I try to help as much as I can now, but I also stay focused on myself and try to improve as well.
“There are a lot of exciting things ahead and I think we try to take the positives from a lot of the good things we’ve done as a nation. I’ve been a part of that.” Harry, no doubt.
