Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Kane can carry England burden
GARY Lineker has backed Harry Kane to shoulder the dual burden of being E n g l a n d ’s Wo r l d C u p captain and primary goalscorer.
Like Lineker before him, Kane has gone from being a prolific Tottenham striker to his country’s most feared threat on the international stage.
But while Lineker boasted a lethal record in tournament football, scoring six times in the 1986 World Cup and adding another four at Italia 90, his successor drew a blank at Euro 2016.
He has since extended his Three Lions tally to 13 in 24 caps and has been handed the armband in Russia, a show of faith Lineker expects to pay dividends.
“Harry is our talisman, you know he won’t be scared of it, you know he deals with these sort of things and he will relish it,” he said.
“I am sure he will do well. Harry is one of the best strikers in the world, it is great we have got him.
“Like all strikers he just needs to hit the form at the right time, you can never be sure in a major tournament because you need the team to play well.”
Lineker will be in Russia anchoring t h e B B C ’s coverage but will not be seeking a mentoring role with a player who has established his own pedigree over the past four Premier League seasons.
“It’s not my place to go and tell people what to do but if anyone ever asks for my advice I am more than happy to give it,” he said.