Harry Kane was named England captain in 2017. Photo: Getty Images/Isabella Bonotto
Harry Kane's career has always been defined by key moments. and as he prepares to face Scotland on Tuesday night, Kane recalls a grueling weekend in Devon six years ago.
Immersed in Royal Marines commando training camp, Kane was with the England squad as they endured the days of cross-country running terrain, traversing frozen swamps, dodging paintball bullets and crawling across assault pads.
Even Gareth Southgate did not escape the dangerous water tunnel of the «sheep's font», but the England coach did notice something at the time important thing that determined Kane's future.
«I remember that trip very well,» he says of signing for Bayern Munich for £86.4 million. “We had a great time and I think Gareth used that to see who stood out in terms of leadership.
“Leadership comes in many ways. It's not just the guy in front shooting paintballs. Maybe it was how I got along with the Marines and how I handled certain situations.
“I know that Gareth subsequently asked some of the Marines who they thought were natural leaders, who could be found, and who else the players were inclined to talk to.
“I think that helped me become captain.”
“I think that helped me become captain.”
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Kane received the armband a few days later as England faced their old foe at Hampden Park. saved his country with a stoppage-time equalizer.
It was the start of a glorious period in England's history, with the team reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020. Captaincy has undoubtedly taken his career to new heights.
He is a prodigious goalscorer and the vanguard of this talented generation of England, and his numbers have never stopped rising.
This promises to be a poignant moment when he leads the team onto the pitch at Hampden on Tuesday evening.
This will be a poignant moment.
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Gareth Southgate emerges from the 'sheep bog' tunnel Photo: Royal Navy/Barry Wheeler
“The buzz at Hampden Park is still one of the best atmospheres I've ever been part of. Sometimes, when you become a footballer, you forget the importance of these games,” he says.
“Sometimes you look back on moments and at the time you don’t realize how big they were and how important they were.
“That goal [in the 2-2 draw] reminded me how important what an international was and what it means something to the fans. It was important for me not to lose my first game as captain, and those are fond memories.»
However, there were inevitably some bad moments for a player still chasing the elusive first trophy that helps to understand , why he decided to move to Bayern.
«I don't dwell on the past — I look to the future»
England never went all the way, despite coming very close, and Kane will always remember his missed penalty at last year's World Cup.
Usually so reliable a shot from 12 yards that the referee fired home a high and crazy penalty just 30 minutes after showing it was so easy. France won the quarter-finals, and this time Kane was vulnerable.
“I never let something like that get me down or knock my confidence. I've always believed in myself and believed that I can improve and become better,” he said.
“When you have disappointing moments, it just makes me ready for a new challenge and another chance to perform again myself.< /p>
“After the World Cup I felt it was time to show even more that I could improve and get better — and I think my form since then has shown that.
“Not only in football, but also in life, I try to look forward and not dwell on the past. I'm looking to the future.»
That miss: Harry Kane says he used his penalty miss at Qatar World Cup as a lesson from which you can learn and improve
So, about Bavaria. He has already scored three goals in four matches and seems the ideal serial trophy winner.
He's already at home in Bavaria, recently pictured wearing lovely lederhosen, and later this month he'll be attending Oktoberfest with teammates and staff.
The move finally brings the annual festival to a close. uncertainty about his future that began with Manchester City's protracted struggles in the summer of 2021.
Southgate suggested last week that Kane's move to the Bundesliga champions would only benefit England and the 30-year-old agrees.
I think it will definitely help England in high pressure games, important Champions League games and title races. This will only help at the European and World Championships,” said Kane.
“Time will tell because everything will depend on my performance and the team’s performance at the upcoming European and World Championships.”
“If I want to be around the best strikers and best players in the world, I need to play in the Champions League and fight for titles.”
“I wanted to experience a new league with new expectations and new pressure. I've felt the most pressure since I arrived at Bayern. It's not just a desire to win, you have to win.»
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