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HARRY KAN SET RECORD

Harry Kane will beat Wayne Rooney’s England goal record and prove Gareth Southgate is right to rate him our best striker for two decades says Ian Wright

SunSport's own frontline legend says the Spurs hitman is joining the elite-level finishers like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

GARETH SOUTHGATE paid Harry Kane some tribute when he called him England’s best forward for two decades — but he was spot-on.

I’d like to think I know a thing or two about striking and I genuinely believe he is going to rewrite the record books for our national team.

 Ian Wright tips Harry Kane to surpass the England goal record of Wayne Rooney
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Ian Wright tips Harry Kane to surpass the England goal record of Wayne RooneyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Spurs and England star Harry Kane gives off that special feeling of always looking likely to score when he has a chance
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Spurs and England star Harry Kane gives off that special feeling of always looking likely to score when he has a chanceCredit: Rex Features

That’s right. By the time Harry hangs up his boots, I would be amazed if he hasn’t surpassed Wayne Rooney and his Three Lions haul of 53 goals.

His scoring run at the moment is right up there with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

I am not saying he is as good as them yet, but — just like you always fancy them to stick it away when they get a chance — it is the same with Kane.

And before anyone accuses me of hyping him up just to knock him down,  that will not be an issue.

Harry is so good, with such solid foundations, no one will be able to knock him down.

I bumped into his dad at breakfast in Lithuania and he told me how much Harry appreciated the kind words I had said about him.

 Wayne Rooney is the record England scorer with 53 goals - but Harry Kane already has 12
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Wayne Rooney is the record England scorer with 53 goals - but Harry Kane already has 12Credit: PA:Press Association
 England main man Harry Kane is always willing to shoot - without invitation
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England main man Harry Kane is always willing to shoot - without invitationCredit: Rex Features

He said Harry watched all the great strikers as a kid, studying their movement, getting into the right position and getting a shot on target. He certainly took it all on board.

Some may call it selfish. I call it being driven and deadly — and his stats back that up.

His winner in Lithuania on  Sunday was his 12th goal in 23 caps.

With some strikers, when they’re through one on one, you just know it is going to be a goal.  If, say, Alan Shearer or Gary Lineker had a clear chance, it was only ending in one place.

Harry is the same. When he is through on goal, the rest of the team are already mentally getting back into position for the kick-off.

Those wanting to find fault question who he has scored against in the Champions League — but they don’t do that with Ronaldo and Messi, so don’t with Harry.

A great striker is a great striker, whoever they are up against.

What impresses me are his attitude, commitment and work ethic — he reminds me of Frank Lampard, who was as good as I have seen in that respect.

You never read anything about Harry other than football-related things.

 Spurs frontman Harry Kane is that rare example of an England player who regularly reproduces his club form at international level
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Spurs frontman Harry Kane is that rare example of an England player who regularly reproduces his club form at international levelCredit: Rex Features

He is the perfect role model for everyone, from team-mates to youngsters — and he is still just 24.

And I love the way it is not about money with Kane, it is about  success, about winning and about leaving a legacy.

It is brilliant for Spurs to hear him say he would love to spend his whole career there, but at some stage they are going to have to prove their ambition is as high as his.

I remember when he had a dry spell after his first year and people wrote him off as a one-season wonder. I said then  they must be joking and he has proved me right.

 Harry Kane averages a goal every other game for England - an excellent strike rate
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Harry Kane averages a goal every other game for England - an excellent strike rateCredit: Rex Features

As for being England captain, he is everything you want in a leader — his drive and the example he sets are both unbelievable.

I love the way Spurs fans sing “he’s just a three-season wonder”, because he keeps doing it year after year after year.

Supporters will be updating that one for his entire career, because  Harry is the real deal . . . and with him in the England team you just never know.



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