Harry Kane names his favourite England goal and says he’s drawing inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the Three Lions captain prepares to win landmark 100th cap

Finding your way to the top is one thing. Staying there, well, that’s another thing. Harry Kane will tell you that. That’s what drives him; staying at the top for as long as humanly possible.

Fortunately for England, it doesn’t look like the prolific striker has any intention of taking his foot off the gas pedal.

That’s good news for Lee Carsley, who will undoubtedly need Kane’s sacking if he is to fulfil his ambition of turning his current caretaker England manager position into a permanent job.

The 31-year-old, on the eve of his 100th cap, was in combative mood as he discussed his past, present and future on the international stage. The present? Goals. The future? More goals. “Staying at the top, that’s probably the hardest thing,” the Bayern Munich striker explained.

‘You see a lot of players who have a few good seasons but then they regress and I think the hardest thing is to keep that up and play consistently at the highest level. Playing consistently at a high level is really hard. That’s why I have so much respect for [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Lionel] Messi and these players.

Kane picked up his 99th cap for England during their Nations League victory over Ireland at the weekend

Kane believes he can still play a major role as captain in England’s title-winning ambitions

‘It’s quite an achievement to keep something like this going for 15 or 20 years.

‘For now, tomorrow 100 caps [Tuesday]that’s one of the reasons why I’m really proud. As an England number 9 you come up against some good competition, some of the best strikers in England trying to take your place.

“You have to be able to raise the bar every time you’re in training camp, every time you train or play. I’ve managed to do that and I’m proud of it, because it’s not easy.

“I think I’m still as hungry as ever. I love playing for England. Even when I was younger I loved watching England, I was a big England fan.

‘Every camp that comes, I don’t want to miss any camp, I don’t want to miss any match. I want to represent my country as long as I can.

‘Now that I am still at the level I am at now, I know that I can make this country successful. That motivates me.

‘Even after the summer, you know, we came very close to achieving the ultimate dream of playing for England again. But it didn’t happen.

‘Now it’s like: OK, I know I can help this team get there again. A World Cup in two years…’

The prolific striker shows no indication of taking his foot off the gas pedal

Kane hasn’t looked back since scoring for England, scoring within 80 seconds of replacing Wayne Rooney against Lithuania in 2015.

Since the first goal, 65 goals have been scored. Kane wants to score 100 goals for England before he calls it a day.

He looks back fondly on his favourite English moments as he stepped onto the pitch on Monday afternoon, and of course his debut goal against Lithuania is high on his mind.

Special mentions also go to his late winner against Tunisia at the 2018 World Cup, his goal in the win over Germany at Euro 2020 at Wembley and his goal in Naples against Italy, which saw him surpass Rooney to become the country’s all-time top scorer.

His best international goal was a 25-yard strike in a World Cup qualifier against Poland in September 2021. However, Kane acknowledges that scoring goals is no longer his only job when he plays against England.

“I remember it (his debut goal) like it was yesterday. I was so excited to play a game for England when I came into camp,” Kane reflected.

‘We were playing Lithuania at home, so I was hoping we would score a few goals early in the game, then I would have more chance to come on, and that’s what happened.

‘There’s only 20 minutes left, Roy [Hodgson] told me I was coming and I waited at the side of the pitch for ages! I think the ball didn’t go out until four or five minutes in and I was just like, someone’s done a foul or something.

“It was special, coming on for Wayne, who was a big idol of mine. All those emotions came at once, but I don’t think I could have dreamed it any better. That’s what I dreamed of as a kid, playing for England at Wembley, scoring a goal. It all happened that night.

‘But now I’m in that boat where we have young players like Morgs [Morgan Gibbs-White]Angel [Gomes] and these players come through and now look to me to guide them through these experiences. I enjoy that part of my journey and also the fact that I am captain. That is where I am.

Kane revealed his favourite ever England goal was a long-range strike against Poland in 2021

Kane has suffered two consecutive European Championship defeats as captain of the Three Lions

“I think players have seen me training during my career. Sometimes you do a group training, but sometimes I go away and put together a specific training for myself. Then players come and join my training.

‘I think, from my point of view now, you have a reputation as one of the best goalscorers. People want to learn and see what you do.

“I am always open to sharing my experiences and thoughts with new players in the selection. I try to help as much as possible, but also stay focused on myself and try to improve myself.

‘There’s a lot of exciting things ahead of us and I think we’ll try to take the positives of a lot of the good things we’ve done as a nation. I’ve been part of that.’ You certainly have, Harry.