Kane can be England’s record scorer: Southgate

london — Gareth Southgate says “phenomenal” Harry Kane is capable of becoming England’s record goalscorer as the Tottenham striker prepares to win his 50th cap against Belgium on Sunday.

England captain Kane is sixth on his country’s alltime scoring chart with 32 international goals, 21 behind record holder Wayne Rooney.

Southgate believes the 27-year-old should be setting his sights on passing Rooney.

Kane has scored 13 times for Tottenham already this season, but drew a blank in each of his four appearances for England this term.

Ahead of his side’s Nations League visit to Belgium, England boss Southgate outlined the case for Kane to chase football immortality.

“In terms of what is possible, the goalscoring record is the really interesting one because his strike rate for us is phenomenal and he has time on his side to chase Wayne Rooney’s record which would be a remarkable feat,” Southgate told a press conference on Saturday.

“I know from his perspective, while the personal achievement is something he is driven towards, it is the team achievement. “He is so focused on the team having success and he would want to look back over the next few years at the team achieving.”

Kane has enjoyed a host of memorable moments since winning his first England cap four years ago, including finishing as top scorer at the 2018 World Cup.

Asked about his favourite memory of Kane in his first 49 caps, Southgate picked out the striker’s first international goal. Southgate was England Under-21 manager at the time and had worked with Kane at that level before he was given a debut by Roy Hodgson in March 2016 against Lithuania. “I think his first goal for England with Roy because we were with the Under-21s and whenever one of your players get called up, you always want them to do well,” Southgate said. —