I couldn’t help but feel happy for Harry Kane last night. Let’s be honest, he’s not the most flamboyant of footballers, yet his commitment and hard work is second to none.

Kane could never be accused of being a big head. He is a humble type of guy who seems to take everything in his stride. He doesn’t get carried away when things are going his way, which, in turn, allows him to deal with setbacks. Did anyone really think he would allow his penalty miss in Qatar to define him? There were no Gazza like ‘tears of a clown’, he just got on with it. In Kane’s world, occasionally, missing is part and parcel of being in a fantastic job.

Hard Work

What I admire most about Harry Kane, is that it must have dawned on him at some point, that he was no Messi, Ronaldo or Rooney. Without the obvious flair and pace of a superstar, Kane could have easily become a journeyman making a very good living in the championship. His loan at Norwich could easily have become permanent.

However, according to people who know a lot more about Kane than me, he always possessed the ability to strike a ball hard and cleanly. At that point, with good coaching and inner belief, he must have decided that to be a great player, he had to work harder than those blessed with better pace and vision. Hours and hours of practice followed, proving that intense hard hard work is a talent not many of us possess. Personally, I’m bereft of it.

Inspiring Others

Because of what he has achieved, Harry Kane will be an inspiration to youngsters. They can look at what he has accomplished and think “why not me?” That raises the bar and can only benefit the national team in the future. He also demonstrates how an individual can conduct themselves in a manner that gains respect from all those around him. You never see Kane spitting his dummy out like Ronaldo does.

I think Kane’s story is a great one. From being farmed out on loan and never really featuring in ‘One to Watch’ articles about future players, to becoming England’s record scorer. It is a wonderful achievement. Kane might not be the easiest on the eye but if he stays fit he will have an England goal tally streets ahead of his illustrious peers.

Check for the man, I say.