KANE has always been able

Harry Kane’s former coach recognised the England captain’s big-game qualities at six years old

HARRY Kane’s role in helping England come from behind to beat Denmark and reach the final of Euro 2020 came as no surprise to former coach Dave Bricknell.

A journey which started with Ridgeway Rovers 22 years ago will reach a high point tomorrow night when Kane follows in the footsteps of Bobby Moore by leading an England team out at Wembley 90 minutes from clinching silverware. Seconds after Mikkel Damsgaard’s sweetly struck free-kick had put Denmark in front, the TV camera panned to the England captain, who could be seen urging his team-mates to stay focused. It took Bricknell back to the boy eager to lead from the front as a youngster.

“He wanted to take the free-kicks, he wanted to take the penalties,” Kane’s old Ridgeway Rovers manager told the PA news agency.

“And if we were a goal behind, he was one of the ones who would pump their fist up and try to get you back in the game.

“I thought he was exceptional against Denmark. I don’t know if I am biased or not these days but I just thought he was unreal.

“The pass through to [Bukayo] Saka was world class. He put another couple of passes through, he scored the penalty. And when England sat back and the Danes had a corner, it was him heading the ball out.”

Bricknell first crossed paths with Kane when the Walthamstow-born forward turned up to training for the under-six side at Ridgeway Rovers, where David Beckham also played as a junior. However, he initially caught the eye stopping goals, not scoring them.

The now-Tottenham scout explained: “He wasn’t a goalkeeper but we were doing a shooting session so I asked for someone to go in goal and he put his hand up. I thought ‘great, I have got a goalkeeper’.

“He was very good. He wasn’t scared or nothing so it was good.

“But about half an hour afterwards one of the parents came up to me and said ‘Dave, you do realise he is not a goalkeeper’. So he went out on the pitch and he was very good at that as well!”

Once out of goal, it did not take Kane long to impress. After spending three years at Ridgeway Rovers, the next step for the future England captain was with Arsenal, but he was released and only established himself as a Tottenham regular in 2014 after stints with Watford, Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich and Leicester during more than a decade of ups and downs for the striker.

“The thing with Harry is he just had so much confidence even then,” Bricknell admitted.

“He said the other day in one of his interviews, if he misses, he knows there will be another coming around the corner soon and he never dwelled on misses.

“Following his career, he always had the drive, belief and determination. I think he wanted to prove people wrong because he had the knock-back early on.

“Apart from being a very talented footballer, selfbelief is his main characteristic.”

UEFA B Licence coach Bricknell, who now coaches at east London-based Ryan FC, still bumps into Kane’s parents Kim and Patrick from time to time and the Spurs fan will be one of many filled with pride when the 27-year-old, who has scored 38 goals for England, leads his country out for the European Championship final.

“I see his mum and dad every now and again and we always have a chat and say hello,” Bricknell said.

“He is a consummate professional and you don’t hear any bad stories about him.

“Apparently he is the best trainer for Spurs as well, so if you are saying to a young kid ‘this is what you need to do to become professional’, you look at Harry. The way he conducts himself is brilliant.”