MX23RW : Sunday, December 29 19:09:15| >> :600:593412:593412:

Harry Kane: 'Fans would not be disappointed with 1-0 or penalty wins'

Harry Kane: 'Fans would not be disappointed with 1-0 or penalty wins'
© Reuters
The striker believes supporters would take the Three Lions winning every game on penalties if it brought silverware.

Harry Kane believes England supporters would be happy to see the Three Lions win every game on penalties if it led to Euro 2020 glory.

There has been plenty of negative discussion surrounding England's group-stage displays, despite the fact they progressed with two wins and a draw to set up a round of 16 clash against Germany.

Kane has yet to find the back of the net, with Raheem Sterling scoring the only two goals England managed in Group D.

There have been much more entertaining teams so far at the Euros, with Spain's 5-3 extra-time win over Croatia on Monday evening a highlight.

Gareth Southgate has answered plenty of questions about England's performances during the Euro 2020 group stage.
Gareth Southgate has answered plenty of questions about England's performances during the Euro 2020 group stage. (Mike Egerton/PA)

But Kane feels there would be no complaints if England went the whole way to the Wembley final on July with a string of pragmatic performances.

"I think the bottom line is I don't think there'll be any England fan disappointed if we end up winning every game 1-0 or winning every game on penalties without scoring another goal and we ended up lifting the trophy in a couple of weeks," he said.

"So the bottom line is we want to win games, of course, we'd love to play amazing football and then win every game scoring three or four goals but we know that's not always the case.

"It's been great that we've kept three clean sheets, that's great for the whole team in general, to have that going forward because we're going to need to continue that if we want to go all the way.

"Obviously a different opposition poses a different threat, different strengths and weaknesses, and hopefully we can go out there and exploit a few of theirs – and if we can score a few goals, then great."

Much has been made of the clash with Germany, 25 years on from the semi-final Wembley meeting at Euro 96 – which the visitors won on penalties.

Current England boss Gareth Southgate missed the deciding spot-kick that night but Kane admits most of the current squad are too young to recall the incident and that it will hold no sway this time around.

"I'll be totally honest, the majority of players don't ever remember that game," he told talkSPORT.

"A lot of them weren't born, I think I was only three years old, of course you see highlights and stuff like that but the bottom line is, we've moved on, we're a different team, we are a different squad.

"We've won penalty shoot-outs the last three, four years so the most important thing from our point of view is that we're trying to get the job done in 90 minutes and if called upon we'll be ready to do whatever it takes."

Kane also insists beating Germany takes precedent over his own goalscoring ambition.

Kane has yet to score at Euro 2020.
Kane has yet to score at Euro 2020. (Nick Potts/PA)

"I've always said as a striker you go through spells – good spells and sometimes spells that just don't quite go your way," he added.

"The most important thing for me is that we're winning games. The first objective was to qualify, which we've done.

"The second is to now try and reach the quarter-finals, so whether (or not) I'm scoring, the most important is that we're winning.

"That's all I'm focused on tomorrow night, that's all the team are focused on, however we get it done. That's our main objective, and we'll do everything in our power to get through."

While England made it to the last four in Russia, they suffered a shock defeat to Iceland in the round of 16 at Euro 2016.

Kane was one of the few players involved in the current squad who featured in the surprise loss but he believes it has only made him more determined to go further this time.

Southgate missed the decisive penalty when England lost to Germany at Euro 96.
Southgate missed the decisive penalty when England lost to Germany at Euro 96. (PA)

"There's only a few of us, maybe, who were involved in that tournament, and that game especially,

"Sometimes games like that give you more motivation to go and be successful in the future and you can learn from experiences like that.

"I did for sure and the players that were involved did, so, yeah, it's totally different.

"We're obviously playing a massive team, Germany, but, look, it's just one to look forward to.

"We feel confident. We've had a good start to the tournament (and there are) areas we can improve, for sure, so hopefully we can take that into tomorrow night."

ID:453143: cacheID:453143:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10108:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England captain Harry Kane during the Euro 2020 clash with Croatia on June 13, 2021
Read Next:
Harry Kane refusing to worry about England goal drought
>
Read more about Harry Kane Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Cardinals
9-13
Rams
6pm
Jets
@
Bills
6pm
Panthers
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Colts
@
Giants
6pm
Titans
@
Jags
6pm
Raiders
@
Saints
9.25pm
Packers
@
Vikings
9.05pm
Dolphins
@
Browns
6pm
Cowboys
@
Eagles
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool17133140172342
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
3Arsenal18106235161936
4Chelsea18105338211735
5Manchester CityMan City199463226631
6Bournemouth198652923630
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford187383232024
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham186572330-723
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1913151239-276


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!