Van Nistelrooy: Kane is a great pro and a fine leader.. nothing fazes him, he’s popular and I wouldn’t hesitate to make him captain

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY believes England have a born leader in Tottenham goal-machine Harry Kane. The Dutchman, who struck an incredible 150 goals in 219 games for Manchester United, now coaches the youngsters at his former club PSV Eindhoven but remains a keen follower of English football. And the former Holland international feels that Kane is cut from the same cloth in terms of ruthless finishing as himself.

Finishing on top of the

Premier League goalscoring pile two seasons running helps the ex-united predator endorse that view.

Van Nistelrooy said: “Harry Kane to me looks like a great professional, somebody who works hard to get the maximum out of himself. He shows that out on the pitch,

“I think for Spurs he is a great player, a leader as well. That also goes for England. Added to that of course he is a great goalscorer.

“He is a true No.9 – a strong and forceful centre-forward who is always a reference point during the build-up play.”

Kane gets Van Nistelrooy’s vote when it comes to England boss Gareth Southgate shuffling the pack over the Three Lions skipper’s armband.

“Nothing seems to phase Harry Kane,” he added. “He takes everything in his stride. I hear he is very popular with the other players and I wouldn’t hesitate to make him captain.”

Van Nistelrooy also believes that United’s Romelu Lukaku is a striker who can hit the heights – providing the Belgian can handle the pressure at Old Trafford.

He said: “It’s different playing at United compared to Everton. “There is a big mental step up. If he can deal with that, then United will have a great centre-forward in Romelu Lukaku.”

Van the Man, 41, was back on his old stomping ground, scoring for the United legends (left) in a 2-2 draw with their Barcelona counterparts.

“It was a penalty but you’ve still got to score them,” he said.

“It brought back happy memories, it was also for a good cause and something to show the world that we stand united with those who suffered from the terrorist attacks.”