Skipper’s sweet stoppage-time strike so special
HARRY Kane reflected on a “sweet” end to his first game as England captain after the Tottenham forward netted an equaliser deep into stoppage time to deny Scotland a famous victory in their World Cup European Qualifying Group F clash at Hampden Park.rk.
The 114th meeting of international football’s oldest foes was a naturally tense affair, with the hosts looking to keep their dreams of reaching Russiasia alive as Garethh Southgate’s men attempted to tighten their grip on top spot.
Kane slammed in at the far post deep into stoppage time to break the hearts of the Tartan Army.
“It (the goal) is definitely up at the top, it was a special day,” Kane said on ITV.
“It looked like we were going to win the game and then like we were going to lose when 2-1 down in stoppage time.
“To get the goal was special.
“I was just thinking to get good contact on it, I did not know whetherr the keeper was goingoing to come, so whenn I saw him stay on his line... what a ball it in was, and it was just a good sidefoot into the net.”
England trained with the Royal Marines in thee build up to thee match, and Kaneane praised the determinai tion of the squad.
He added: “We said we had to expect the unexpected. We were in control at 1-0 up and then all of a sudden 2-1 down and it looks as if you are going away losers.
“You have to somehow find another gear and now it is not a bad point away from home.
“Obviously we wanted to win the game, there is no doubt about that, but we got a point, are still top of the (qualifying) league .
“Scotland is no easy place to come, and especially when you are 2-1 down in stoppage time, it makes it that much sweeter. “I definitely did not want to lose in my first game as skipper, so to get that goal, it is a good day for us and a very proud day for me as well.” Griffit Griffiths felt Scotla Scotland had don done themse selves proud, despited not b being able to h hold on for what would have been a famous win. “At 1-0 downd against En England, it is alw always going to be a tought ask to get back into the game game, but w we showed resilience and what we are all about by getting ourselves back into it and then into the lead,” he said. “But you cant switch off against this England side, because they will punish you and that is what they did in the end. “We have to keep the ball better, because we were (breaking) in a three-on-one attack. “If we had kept the ball better going towards their goal we might have nicked the three points,p but you can’t switc switch off against this EnglandEn side with guys like Har Harry Kane up to top. “We proved t that on our d day we can match anybody. “We know h how good th this England sid side are, play playing them at Wemb Wembley in Novemb November we didn’t d do ourselvesl justice, but today we showed what we are all about.” England manager Southgate felt his men let the match get away from them, although praised their spirit to recover. “It was a game we should win and were in total control of, but two moments of brilliant quality from them turned it on its head in seconds,” he said. “But we should never be beaten – we have got to have a mentality where we are never beaten, and we showed that at the end.