Harry Kane: Alan Shearer comparisons are flattering… but I want to be my own man

Harry Kane is enjoying another successful season up front for both Spurs and England — and aims to close the gap on leaders Leicester at Stoke tonight.

Kane is often compared to SunSport columnist Alan Shearer in terms of style and talent.

Here, Kane and Shearer chat all things football with CHARLIE WYETT listening in.

CHARLIE WYETT: How did you two meet?

ALAN SHEARER: We met at the walking football with Barclays back in August.

Harry hadn’t scored until then, but he did so a couple of games after.

We both spoke about scoring goals and people were questioning him. But he had the belief — and I had the belief — that the goals would come.

HARRY KANE: I scored a few goals in the walking football — I reckon it gave me a bit of confidence! That is what I needed — to hear the net ripple again!

AS: But Harry, was there any doubt whether the goals would ever come?

HK: No. When we spoke I always thought that I needed to get in the right positions.

I was having good chances. It was always a matter of time before the chances would go in and my confidence would be sky-high again.

AS: The life of a striker is coping with not scoring for a few weeks.

It was blatantly obvious that you have real class and I never had any doubt that the goals would come.

I am one of your biggest fans. I don’t want to blow smoke up you’re a**e, but I think you will get even better.

HK: I do feel I am getting better. I am not one who thinks, ‘I have scored 20 goals twice in two seasons — that is enough’.

I want to be better next season — I want to score more goals and improve as a player.

There is a lot of hard work ahead from now until the end of my career to keep improving.

AS: I was in Augusta for The Masters and I spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson as we were watching Spurs v Manchester United on TV.

I asked him what he thought about you. His words to me were: “Harry reminds me very much of you — apart from the fact he doesn’t moan at referees all the time!” Sir Alex spoke very highly of you.

HK: That is amazing to hear. I am happy with the comparison.

If I score as many goals as you did, I will be happy. But I don’t want to be compared to just one player — I want to be my own man with my own attributes.

AS: Last year, you gave up your summer to play for the England Under-21s.

Now we are getting to the end of the season, do you think that tournament helped you or hindered you? How are you feeling?

HK: It definitely helped. I feel as good as ever.

This last month, I think I have proved I am at the top of my game. I feel good. As good as ever. The Under-21s was a good experience for me and one I will take into the Euros.

AS: I thought a few months ago, the question was whether you would start for England at the Euros. Now, it is a case of who will start alongside you — or someone behind you.

You are now England’s No 1 striker and will be starting for the team in the summer. What about the golden boot at the Euros? I got it in 1996 — what about you getting it now?

HK: That is definitely something I want to do. It is not something I think too much about. But I am confident in my ability and feel I can score against anyone.

Scoring against Germany gave me even more confidence. Hopefully, I can win the Premier League Golden Boot first.

AS: Hopefully you will end the season well with Spurs.

I have compared the situation with Spurs and Leicester to when we won the League at Blackburn.

The one thing that got us through was a tremendous team spirit. I look at you, Dele Alli and Eric Dier and you all seem to have a great togetherness.

That is important. You are playing in a pressurised situation. But the look on your faces is as though you are all enjoying it.

HK: It is true. The manager has brought in a lot of good players but also a lot of good people.

We have formed this bond together which we have not had in any other team.

We get on well on the pitch but off the pitch we are very close whether it is going out for a meal or playing PlayStation. We do a lot of team bonding. It is a long season and you need the whole squad to be together.

There is a lot of talk about Leicester and it has taken the pressure off us. It has been a great season.

It will only get better whatever happens over the next few weeks. There are still five games left and we will keep fighting.

AS: It is good you have been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year. It is a team sport but you have to do well as an individual.

You have played a massive part for Spurs and deserve to be nominated. I won the PFA twice and they are great awards to win — along with the Football Writers’ Association award.

But the PFA awards, these are the guys who want to kick you week in week out. If they vote for you, a player knows he is doing something right.

HK: Getting respect from the opposition is a nice thing. You battle against them all season.

To be named, I am very pleased. I won PFA Young Player last year and I am very proud to be nominated for both this season.

AS: Going back to what Sir Alex said. With regards to your temperament... and moaning. Is it something you have had to work on?

HK: It is natural. I am quite a calm player. I do have a go at players and refs in the heat of the moment but I never throw my toys out of the pram.

I play my best football when I’m calm mentally. Of course there are times when it gets heated. Hopefully, I will remain calm over the rest of the season — and at the Euros.

— Harry was meeting a young Spurs fan, Madison, who attended her first game thanks to Barclays.

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