CAPTAIN HARRY’S INSPIRED BY HAT-TRICK HERO HURST AND THE BOYS OF ’66
HARRY KANE claims his England side are fired up to go all the way by the heroes of 1966.
The Three Lions captain is determined to go one better than the semi-finalists of Italia ’90, beat Croatia on Wednesday and reach Sunday’s Final.
It comes after Gary Lineker was seen welling up as he reflected on the last time England reached the last four of the World Cup.
Kane said: “It’s amazing to meet any heroes from ’66 and it gives you so much inspiration.
“I’m proud to make ex-players proud. I’m sure it is bringing back memories for them and for Gary when he was in the semi-final. But we said we wanted to write our own history.
“Hopefully we can go a step further and get to the final.”
Kane, still leading the chase for the Golden Boot, has met with ’66 hero Sir Geoff Hurst on several occasions, including in March when they did some filming for Sport Relief at Tottenham’s training ground. He is keen to have a similar impact on England’s fans as Sir Alf Ramsay’s team had, and continue the scenes of jubilation across the country over the past few weeks.
He added: “We feel proud to make the fans proud. That’s what we wanted to do when we set out. We wanted to play good football.
“We wanted to work hard, play with passion and we feel we have done that.
“So we are enjoying it. We can see the fans, we are enjoying it here and so we have just got to try to keep it going.
“We are one step closer to what is the biggest game in football as a professional.”
Kane has been cheered by fans across the board during the past month, having won their respect with his leadership and goals.
Kane, soon set to spend some time with his pregnant fiancee Katie, said: “It’s incredible.
“As a player and as a professional I know I have a job, on and off the pitch, to inspire people and inspire hopefully kids watching this tournament.
“It’s amazing because I was one of those kids growing up who wanted to play for England so to be here now, leading this team out, I’m so proud.
“I know the family are proud.
“My missus back home is so proud, she is obviously gutted she can’t be here.
“But we are just looking forward to finishing strong and whatever happens to being able to say we are proud of each other.”