The Scotsman

Shaw: Kane is probably best striker in the world

- By MARK MANN-BRYANS

Luke Shaw has hailed Harry Kane as the best striker in world football as he closes in on the England goalscorin­g record.

Kane's match-winning penalty in Saturday's 2-1 friendly victory over Switzerlan­d saw him draw level with Sir Bobby Charlton on 49 England goals.

That leaves just Wayne Rooney ahead of him, on 53, as the Tottenham forward continues to lead the way for Gareth Southgate's side.

In all likelihood, with seven games between now and the World Cup in Qatar this winter, the England captain could go into the tournament having already eclipsed the record.

Having won the Golden Boot as England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 competitio­n, Shaw believes Kane will now have his eyes on the same prize this time around.

"I don't see why not," the Manchester United full-back said. "For me at the moment, the way he's playing, he's one of the best strikers in the world, probably the best. So hopefully you can keep that form up, keep it going. He's showing it week in week out at the moment and it's a joy to watch. Long may that continue and I'm sure he will be hunting another Golden Boot and all the other records."

Shaw struck his second internatio­nal goal to draw England level at Wembley after Breel Embolo had given the visitors the lead.

A fine, rifled finish at the same end where he opened the scoring in England's illfated Euro 2020 final was testament to how Southgate sets up his side.

"I think in this formation Gareth and Steve (Holland) obviously want the wingbackst­ogethigher,"shawtold bein Sports. "Not just create chances but scoring more goals and thankfully today I could do that and hopefully there'll be many more to come."

The performanc­e against Switzerlan­d, who could yet end up facing England in the groupstage­swhenthewo­rld Cupdrawtak­esplaceinq­atar nextweek,mayhavebee­ntepid at times. But Shaw insists the team always back themselves­togetaresu­ltnomatter what the scenario.

"The belief, the confidence I've said it many times before, whenwe'reunderpre­ssurein gameswhere­it'snotgoingt­he waywewantt­oifeellike­we're all together," he added.

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