Lions made me roar
KANE HAD TO MAN UP AT THE DEN
HARRY KANE has revealed the huge debt he owes Millwall, the team he aims to dump out of the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.
Tottenham and England hotshot Kane said he grew up so much during a loan spell with the Lions in the second half of the 2011-12 season. Aged just 18, Kane bagged nine goals in 24 starts for Millwall, who were then in the Championship but are now in League One. “It was big part of my development,” said Kane, who has scored 14 goals in 2017. “I had a great time at Millwall, I enjoyed my loan spell there. I was 18, playing in the Championship, we were in a relegation battle and it probably turned me into a man. “Playing in difficult, highpressure games... I managed to come out of it positively. It will be interesting to play them again. A lot has changed since I left, but I’m looking forward to it.” The clash will be the last in the FA Cup at White Hart Lane, with Spurs moving to Wembley next season while their new stadium is being built.
“The atmosphere is going to be amazing,” added Kane.
“It’s a big game. The fans have been fantastic, it’s important we win, get to the semi-final and see who we get.”
Kane certainly left a lasting impression on Millwall defender Tony Craig (above).
However, he is eager to give his former team-mate a reminder about the way the Lions go about their business as they aim to take a fourth Premier League scalp in the FA Cup.
“He was very level-headed and, when he came here, he did integrate with the Millwall way and into the group,” said Craig.
Special
“He was an important part of the squad. He scored goals and that bred confidence.
“He came in and settled quickly and he was one of the lads. What he has achieved since then is brilliant. I can’t speak highly enough of him.
“I’m looking forward to testing myself against him. But we have a special plan for all of them. We just can’t concentrate on him.
“We have to get into their faces and try to unsettle them. We have to start right and rattle them a bit.”
Craig reckons Millwall deserve plenty of credit for the way Kane has developed, adding: “We gave him game time. Any young kid needs experience and that obviously helped.
“He always had that bit of quality and knew where the back of the net was. His work-rate was second to none. You want to test yourself against the best and he is obviously up there.” ¬Ê Spurs left-back Ben Davies has signed a new contract until 2021.