30 goals and then to beat Rooney record
able to create chances, so, hopefully, I can get a couple more.”
On the prospect of eventually beating Rooney’s record, Kane added: “If I get to that tally and I’m still young enough to keep playing then it will be about progressing and scoring more.
“There’s a lot that can happen and I’ve got to make sure I try to stay injury-free and that I keep my place in the team because we’ve got a lot of competition for places, so that’s all I’m focused on. If we’re a few years down the line and I’m getting close, then it will be great.
“It’s still a long way off and there’s a lot that can happen. Hopefully, I keep scoring and we keep winning. I’m in a good place with the players I’m playing with. They are going to give me opportunities, so I’ve just got to make sure that I’m ready to put them away.”
Kane was accused of diving to try to win a penalty for Tottenham in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal, having been booked for the offence against Wolverhampton Wanderers last season. Asked if he had ever dived, Kane said: “Never and, hopefully, I don’t have to. I said after the Arsenal game it’s a 50-50 one, similar to the one we got given against us at Wembley the year before. It happens in football.
“I am someone who uses his body well, which as a striker you have to do. On the halfway line, it’s a free-kick every day of the week. In the box, you don’t always get it.”
Kane received the support of his Tottenham and England team-mate Danny Rose, who described the striker as the best professional he has ever worked with.
“I have not seen the debate about Harry diving,” said Rose. “But he is not one to pay attention to that stuff and people should focus on his goal record, what he offers to any team across the world and we should relish watching him.
“I don’t want to put pressure on Harry but when he is in the team, you are guaranteed goals and he is a leader who will give everything. It is a privilege to be with him.
“Harry is mentally very strong. He is strong-willed for sure, he will never pay attention to anything negative said about him and in the same way he will never get carried away with the plaudits, so he is the ultimate professional, the best I’ve ever trained with or played with.”
“He does not drink, he does not go out. He does extra every day and works on his left foot and right.”
Rose was at Tottenham when Kane was struggling to break into the first team and the left-back paid tribute to former manager Tim Sherwood for recognising his ability. “Harry was always practising and always doing extra work when AVB [Andre Villas-boas] was the manager and before him Harry Redknapp,” said Rose. “When Tim got to be manager, Harry was doing so well in training, I don’t think he could ignore him any more.
“Tim was – and is – his biggest fan and I know for a fact even when he was technical director at the club, he was pushing for Harry to be playing. What is scary is that Harry is only 26 and, hopefully, his best years are still to come.” Madrid, Juventus, Paris St-germain and even a deadline-day move to Watford before staying at Spurs.
“Everything that was publicised in the summer was not entirely true, and I think in the future I will have my say on everything that happened, but I don’t want to focus on negativity,” he said.
“I don’t need to prove myself to anybody. Last season, I played in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, I played semi-finals of the Champions League and I played in the final. So I’ve got a manager at Tottenham who believes in me.
“Then, if you look at England, I’ve got a manager that whenever I’ve been available for selection, I’ve been chosen. I’m lucky to have managers at club level and international level who believe in me.
“I want to repay everybody that’s shown faith in me and it’s been a great start to the campaign. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.”
Rose faces competition for his England place from Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell, but is relishing the battle for his place in the build-up to Euro 2020.
“Me and ‘Chilly’ have to do everything to help each other and help the team,” Rose said. “We both offer great qualities and I’m a massive fan of Chilly’s. If I don’t play, I’m going to be cheering him and, hopefully, learn from what he can do.”
‘He’s the ultimate professional. Harry does not drink, does not go out and does extra practice’