‘Nothing can prepare you for the intensity’

GLENN HODDLE: I don’t know if you felt the same, but for my first game at White Hart Lane... the pitch suddenly looked so much smaller. It was because I’d been playing there in the youth team and the reserves, when there was a very sparse crowd. I couldn’t believe it when I got out there with 40,000 people, it just looked so much smaller than normal. It was incredible.

HARRY KANE: For me, it was the noise. Playing in the youth cup, there’s maybe 1,000 fans. And you walk out and there’s 35,000. I think I was 18 when we played Hearts at White Hart Lane in the Europa League. I remember walking out of the tunnel and it was just amazing to be playing for Spurs and wearing the shirt. It wasn’t the best debut. I missed a penalty. But in the end, this is what makes careers. Everything happens for a reason. It made me work harder probably — and want it even more.

GLENN: Nothing can prepare you for that intensity but the best players are the ones who thrive on that. They actually respond to it. Some who I was playing with, at a similar age, went into their shells. Whereas Harry and myself blossomed. You actually want to take it on. You can’t get enough of it. You respond to it. So that’s what makes you a player in end.

I remember the first time I went to White Hart Lane was for a reserve game against Leicester, under the lights, when I was around eight or nine. So it was a reserve game that hooked me into Tottenham.

HARRY: The game that sticks out for me is the Carling Cup final against Chelsea in 2008 and beating them. It was one of my first times at Wembley: just being at a Cup final and Spurs winning.

GLENN: It’s funny, I remember a League Cup final as well as one of my early games. I went with my dad to the old Wembley, standing behind the goal. It was against Aston Villa (in 1971), Martin Chivers scored two and we won. We were right at the back, standing and in those days by half-time, we would be 20 yards away, because you just moved with this flow, and it was like being on a wave. And it was a magnificent way of watching Tottenham win the Cup at Wembley, even if the view wasn’t great.

As for Harry’s best games, Arsenal and Chelsea at White Hart Lane last season are the two that stand out for the quality of the goals and the manner in which it was done. They’re the two for me, I don’t know if Harry’s got a better one.

HARRY: I think that’s spot on. The Arsenal game for me was a great atmosphere and to score a winner so late on was amazing. And obviously Chelsea, who were flying so high at the time, and to beat them 5-3 was a good statement. It gave me a lot of confidence.

Looking at Glenn’s goals, the chip against Watford (in 1983) was special. I’ve still yet to score a chip. It’s a great skill to have. That’s the goal that stands out for me. One day I’ll try the chip!