TASTY TANG’S MORE ABLE THAN KANE

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JAPHET TANGANGA is not just following in Harry Kane’s footsteps at Millwall – he is outstripping him.

Kane made the loan journey from Tottenham to the Lions back in 2012, but it took him nine games to score his first goal in the Championship for them.

By contrast, centre-back Tanganga (top) scored his second in nine outings to give Millwall a massive win over fellow strugglers Birmingham.

Team-mate Billy Mitchell joked: “Good stat! I’ll have to tell him that. He is a great lad and really good to talk to.

“He has some good stories coming from Spurs as well. He has great leadership qualities and you can always hear him.

“You can trust him defending space behind and he is great stepping in. He is like a calming influence so he has been a pleasure to play with.”

Millwall boss Neil Harris admits he has had to change Tanganga’s game to prepare him for a relegation dogfight with the

Lions. And he does not care if he upsets Ange Postecoglu by asking the Spurs defender to simplify his play.

Harris said: “I am more interested in what I think about Japh! I have not spoken to Ange.

“Japh is a talented footballer but you come to Millwall for different reasons. Everyone knows that. Nobody is stupid.

“You are going to be backs-tothe-wall, being asked questions. If you are not prepared to do that, don’t come to Millwall.

“At a club like Millwall, it is not just about the Beautiful Game and passing the football. You still have to be able to defend.

“And when centre-halves are asked to go into the opponent’s half for set plays you have to be prepared to attack the ball.”

Tanganga certainly did that, heading home the winner from a corner in the final minute.

That left Birmingham with a mountain to climb to dig their way out of trouble. Boss Mark Venus said: “We’re in a dogfight but we have the stomach for the fight.”