HARRY KANE was born in Walthamstow, but the England captain rose to prominence in Glasgow and the Royal Marines.

Kane reflected on the drama of his one and only trip to Hampden Park, which was in June 2017 for a World Cup qualifying match. The Three Lions are getting ready to play Scotland in a commemorative friendly on Tuesday.

The England national team went to boot camp ahead of their last clash against ScotlandCredit: EPA

Gareth Southgate and Co were put through their pacesCredit: EPA

The Three Lions went through the ordeal at a Commando Training centre in DevonCredit: EPA

He had earned the right to lead the team for the first time by excelling at a boot camp at the Commando Training Centre in Devon.

Kane also stood up to be counted on the field, scoring a stoppage-time equalizer after Leigh Griffiths’ two late free kicks had canceled out Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s initial goal.

Kane said: “First of all I was extremely proud to be leading the boys out.

“The noise at Hampden Park is still one of the best atmospheres I’ve been a part of.

“We got ahead and then they quickly turned it around with two great free-kicks and then you’re thinking about being an Englishman losing to Scotland.

“That goal reminded me how big that international is and what it means to the fans.

“I’ve been on a couple of golf trips to Scotland and the caddies still remind me of that goal and how much it’s hurt them.

“It means I have some good fun whenever I’m in Scotland.”

It was something of a sliding doors moment, for Kane, for Gareth Southgate, and for England.

The match was only Southgate’s third after being appointed as permanent boss and defeat by the Scots would have given fuel to those who doubted his and Kane’s pedigree as leaders.

The Bayern Munich frontman added: “Sometimes you look back at moments that, at the time, you don’t realise how important they were.

“For me as captain, losing to Scotland in your first game is not something you want on your resume at all. Even though we drew the game, it felt a little bit like a win.

“Who knows, things might have been a little bit different if I didn’t score that goal — so I’m definitely grateful I did.”

 

Gareth asked some of the Marines afterwards who they thought were natural leaders… I think that might have helped in me becoming captain.

Harry Kane

It is important to keep in mind that due to an injury, Kane had never played for Southgate prior to the Scotland encounter.

Why then did the England manager think the then-Tottenham striker could start such a crucial game as captain? The boot camp held in early June 2017 played a significant role.

The Royal Marines were an elite force, and Southgate’s grandpa had served in them, so their opinions carried a lot of weight.

Kane continued: “I remember that trip very clearly. We had a fantastic time and I think Gareth used that to see who stood out in terms of leadership.

“Leadership comes in many forms. It isn’t just the guy in the front shooting the paintball. Maybe [it was] the way I got on with the Marines and the way I handled certain situations.

England skipper Harry Kane credits the boot camp for helping him win the armbandCredit: Getty

Kane scored a late equaliser the last time he played at Hampden ParkCredit: The Times

“I know that Gareth asked some of the Marines afterwards who they thought were natural leaders, who was approachable and who other players were leaning towards to talk to, things like that.

“I think that might have helped in me becoming captain.”

Being skipper seems to have brought the best out of Kane.

He has served as England’s captain for some of the most significant games in recent memory, including the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 Euro final at Wembley.

But even the man who does not shirk from responsibilities has experienced certain experiences he would prefer to forget. such as missing a penalty kick against France in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal.

Kane Southgate was chosen as the permanent captain in May 2018 before the World Cup in Russia, despite the fact that he, Eric Dier, and Jordan Henderson all occasionally worn the armband.

 

Sometimes you look back at moments that, at the time, you don’t realise how important they were.

Harry Kane

Before the Royal Marines boot camp and that Scotland game, Kane had managed a modest five goals in 17 England appearances.

Now he is the country’s record scorer with 8 in 84 games.

Kane said: “It gave me loads of confidence [being captain].

“It was the start of a journey none of us knew how it was going to go.

“The fact he saw me as that type of leader in the team and that I could have that role, as a striker, it just gave me loads of belief.

“I would have only been about 24 at the time, pretty young and pretty new into my career.

“So just to have that faith from Gareth was important — and I think I’ve been able to repay that.”