Harry Kane is targeting “many more” goals for England after becoming his country’s all-time leading scorer.
Kane’s record-breaking 54th England goal helped Gareth Southgate’s side secure a 2-1 European Championship qualifying win over Italy on Thursday, and afterwards the captain said he is in the best shape of his career.
It is 103 days since the 29-year-old drew level with Wayne Rooney’s record by scoring a penalty against France, but that night is best remembered for him missing his second spot-kick in a quarter-final exit.
Kane bounced back from that disappointment in historic fashion in Naples, striking from the spot to move to the top of the national team scoring charts with 54 goals ahead of Rooney.
Speaking after his record-breaking night, Kane said: “I don’t like to look too far in the future but I’m 29, I’m feeling fit and strong – the best I’ve felt in my career. I hope I have many more years.
“Playing for England is probably my greatest feeling in football. I want to do it for as long as possible and as a striker I want to score in every game.
“Hopefully there will be many more.”
Kane’s England record…
Kane: It had to be a penalty!
The new record-holder admitted a lot of emotions came out after his landmark penalty in Naples.
“Yeah it means everything,” he told Channel 4. “We were so excited to put the England shirt back on and get back out here and get the campaign started for the Euros next year.
“It had to be a penalty, of course, and once it hit the back of the net it was just so much emotion.
“Just thanks to all the players, the staff, the fans, my wife, my family back home and everyone who has helped me get to this stage. It is just a magical moment.
“Thankfully I put it away and just a great night. We haven’t won in Italy for so long. To score and win the game is special.
He added: “The World Cup was obviously a difficult way to end. It was tough to finish it that way.
“We spoke about getting back to it. We feel like we are one of the best teams in Europe and we just need to keep knocking on the door.
“We’re getting close but coming here and putting in a performance like that today shows we’re ready for the next challenge.”
Kane’s praise for Southgate
Kane was handed his England debut in 2015 by Roy Hodgson, coming on as a second half substitute for Rooney, and he took just 80 seconds to grab his first international goal.
He was handed the England captaincy by Gareth Southgate, who Kane praised for playing a “really big part” in his journey to becoming his country’s most prolific international player.
When asked what Southgate said to him straight after the game, Kane said: “He said he was extremely proud and that I deserved it.
“A big thanks to Gareth. My England journey started with Roy [Hodgson] but Gareth has played a really big part.
“We’ve had some really good times and are growing as a team. We haven’t achieved what we want to achieve yet but tonight was a big statement after the World Cup and for huge spells in the game we played really well.
“It shows the type of team we want to be.”
Southgate: Kane becoming England’s all-time top scorer shows his mentality
England boss Southgate praised Kane for his quality, mentality and professionalism after becoming England’s all-time top scorer.
“His overall performance was outstanding – he dominated the centre-backs,” Southgate said. “You could see from early on he was on it.
“To break the record in the manner that he did shows the strength of his character and mentality. I couldn’t be happier for him and his family – they are lovely people. He is a brilliant professional.
“To break the record with a lot of his career to go is an incredible achievement. The players gave him a brilliant reception afterwards, that was in response to breaking the record and what he had to recover from.
“I can’t remember what he said but I’m sure it was a on a video as everything is videoed these days and nothing stays in house. Everybody recognised it was a special, historic moment and he deserves every bit of praise that he gets.”
Mancini praises ‘complete’ striker Kane
As for Italy, manager Roberto Mancini praised “complete striker” Kane for his goal on a frustrating night for his side in Naples.
“We knew it was going to be a difficult game, then we conceded two goals from two set pieces,” the former Manchester City boss said. “We should have been more careful.
“We dominated in the second half and probably deserved a draw. We’re disappointed with the result but we still have a long way to go.
“In the second half we managed to press better, higher and I saw a great team again: this gives us hope.
“England are always dangerous from set pieces but we shouldn’t have conceded those two goals. We still managed to roll up our sleeves and play better.
“The road is a bit of an uphill climb now, but maybe it will finish more smoothly.”
On Kane, he added: “I’d like to congratulate him on his achievement. He’s a fantastic striker that can do the lot. He scores goals, he gets the team playing, he’s good in the air, he scores penalties. He’s the complete striker. I hope he continues to score many goals.”
In pictures: Kane breaks the England scoring record
Reaction to Kane’s record-breaking goal
Kane: Rooney’s a special man
Kane on Wayne Rooney paying tribute to him:
“Big thanks. I was on the pitch when Wayne broke the record. I know what it meant to him and I was so proud of him. I remember when I gave him the boot for breaking the record, he said he would be giving it back to me one day. A special man.”
England’s Group C schedule…
England will play home and away against Italy, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta in Group C. After this evening, their fixture list is as follows:
England host Ukraine in their next European Championship Qualifier at Wembley on Sunday; kick-off 5pm.
Italy are away to Malta at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium on the same day in Group C; kick-off 7.45pm.
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