Southgate: Kane’s the best No 9 in the world
GARETH SOUTHGATE has hailed Harry Kane as the world’s best No 9 and predicted that England’s captain is ready to scale new heights. Kane will receive the Golden Boot for being top scorer at the World Cup before tonight’s Nations League clash with Spain at Wembley and head coach Southgate, who will make the presentation, feels the Tottenham striker’s performances in Russia elevated his standing in the global game. ‘Look at the No 9s around the world — Messi and Ronaldo are different players — and I can’t see a better one,’ said Southgate. ‘As a player, you are always questioned and challenged about the next step. The reason I made him captain is he has that drive to continually improve. That’s what drives the very best. ‘They want to continually win, making a difference in the games that matter
and winning trophies. That’s what I’ve seen in the last five years working with Harry. I don’t see any signs of that hunger and ambition dwindling. He’s coming into his prime.’ Kane says the achievement of winning the Golden Boot has not sunk in but he is more focused on the future. The Tottenham star will wear a special pair of gold boots tonight to mark the achievement and Southgate — who is set to start Joe Gomez and considering playing Marcus Rashford — sees no reason why Kane cannot repeat the achievement in years to come. His ambition is to be the captain of an England side that wins trophies and feels the Nations League is the perfect opportunity. Kane said: ‘It’s a competition that a few people are confused about but it’s a chance to win a trophy with the national team. Maybe once it’s been here for 20 years — and we were the first winners of it — it might be a respected big tournament. ‘I might look back on the Golden Boot at the end of my career with huge pride, telling the story. But it’s about the next step. We are going into every game wanting to win. That starts against Spain.’ Spain captain Sergio Ramos insists he does not fear a negative reception at Wembley as he plays for the first time in England since injuring Liverpool’s Mo Salah in the Champions League final. The Real Madrid defender said: ‘I never wanted to hurt a colleague on the pitch, so my conscience is clear about what I did that night. I know the English fans will treat players as they deserve and I’m not worried about that in the slightest.’