FOR KANE AND COUNTRY
Anderton: Harry will banish club troubles
DARREN ANDERTON is backing Harry Kane to put his club uncertainty behind him – and kick off England’s Euro campaign with a bang against Croatia at Wembley this afternoon.
Kane’s domestic future remains uncertain having appeared to signal his intention to leave his currently managerless boyhood club at the end of the domestic season.
But Anderton believes that won’t impact his performances for England as Gareth Southgate’s side prepare to take on the side that denied them a place in the final of the 2018 World Cup.
Anderton said: “There’ll be nothing else on his mind apart from playing for his country – that’s his mentality and that’s why his strength of mind and character is so important to England.
“The fact that Spurs haven’t got a manager probably isn’t helping because there is no-one there persuading him to stay.
“The timing of the rumours coming out right before the last home game gave him the opportunity to say thanks to the fans, that looked planned to me.
“But he has always done things the right way. He stayed because he believed that Tottenham were going in the right direction. If he feels that’s not the case and he’s desperate to play in the Champions League and also win things then I don’t think you can blame him for that.
“But whatever happens at Spurs, he’ll now be 100 per cent focused on doing the business for England.”
How his country need him in what effectively amounts to a first home tournament since Euro ’96.
Anderton was part of the England side that reached the semi-finals of that competition, on the back of Alan Shearer’s sensational goal scoring form.
As the winner of the Golden Boot at the 2018
World Cup, Kane has already shown that he can handle the global spotlight.
And Anderton has no doubt that Kane can play a full part in making this summer every bit as special as the one he enjoyed with England 25 years ago.
“There are times when you think about it and the hairs still stand up on the back of your neck,” he added. “It was such a special time.
“Yes, playing at home does bring with it a certain amount of pressure but you would rather be running out in front of your own fans than in front of someone else’s.
“You would probably have to say that this is England’s best chance of winning the European Championships since we came so close.”
‘‘ Whatever happens at Spurs, Kane will now be 100 per cent focused on doing the business for England