HARRY KANE has opened up on Wayne Rooney’s efforts to include him in the England set-up.
The former Tottenham Hotspur hitman was called up to the Three Lions senior team in March 2015 by Roy Hodgson.
TIMES NEWSPAPERS LTDHarry Kane was called up to the England squad in March 2015[/caption]
TIMES NEWSPAPERS LTDWayne Rooney gave the then 21-year-old some words of encouragement ahead of his debut[/caption]
PAKane is still grateful for Rooney’s welcoming[/caption]
Kane was a million miles away from being the lethal striker he now is when he was called up for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Lithuania and Italy.
The then 21-year-old was incredibly nervous ahead of his debut, although some words of wisdom from Rooney helped quell those nerves.
The Bayern Munich ace said: “I remember, when Wayne Rooney received an award for the greatest number of goals scored for England, he said he expected me to be the next.”
“I found that incredibly kind of him. It’s Wayne Rooney, one of the greatest strikers in history, he didn’t have to have a word for me.
“You know, Wayne was the captain when I started in 2015, and he welcomed me personally.
“He explained a lot of things to me about what it meant to represent England, how it would change my life forever.
“It obviously helped me to understand this stage and I use it in turn today to integrate the new talents who arrive here.”
Rooney’s chat with Kane had the desired effect as the former Spurs star opened his account for his country in a 4-0 romp over the Lithuanians.
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Harry Kane reveals his favourite England goals
HARRY KANE is already England’s all-time record goalscorer.
But the Three Lions skipper will NOT be stopping there.
To mark his 100th cap for his country, Kane spoke to SunSport’s CHARLIE WYETT about some of his special England goals….
FIRST ENGLAND GOAL
“My debut v Lithuania. March 2015.
“There was a lot of talk in the build-up to that camp because I was playing well for Spurs.
“I got a great reception and within a couple of minutes I scored a goal.
“I don’t think I could have dreamed it any better.
“My friends and family were there. That was a really special night.”
FAVOURITE ENGLAND GOAL
“It’s between two, for me.
“Against Germany, the one at Wembley in Euro 2020.
“Also, the header against Tunisia at the World Cup in 2018.
“That moment of scoring a last-minute winner at my first World Cup was special.”
BEST ENGLAND GOAL
“The one I scored in Poland away in a World Cup qualifier in 2021. It was from 25 yards.”
(Kane picked up the ball from Kyle Walker, advanced towards goal and put his foot through it.)
“It kind of drifted away and it was a good strike, probably my furthest-out goal for England.”
Kane hasn’t looked back since that memorable night at Wembley, scoring a further 68 goals to surpass Rooney as the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer.
And his sights are firmly set on bagging 100 goals for his country.
In March 2023, he said: “Getting 100 will be tough for sure, but I never count out anything.
“I am still young – I am 29, I am still fit and strong. I want to play for England for as long as I can.”
He added: “A hundred is not out of the question.
“It will be extremely tough but we will have to see how the next few years go.”
Kane and his England team-mates will be back in action in March, welcoming Albania to Wembley for their first 2026 World Cup qualifier.
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