Heart of a Lion: how England captain Harry Kane is leading by example

Harry Kane is not one to back away from a challenge, and it was his never-say-die attitude that won England all three points in their opening fixture.

“Life never hands it to you, does it? You’ve gotta grab it.”

Harry’s words in a recent piece for The Players’ Tribune are somewhat of an orthodox platitude, certainly nothing profound. But the simple message has taken him to the very top, and rang true again last Monday night.

The early days

As a youth, Harry did not possess prodigious talent akin to the likes of Messi or Neymar, far from it.

The awkward looking striker was shipped about on some abortive loan spells such as those at Norwich and Leicester City.

Of course, as he warmed the bench for Championship clubs, Harry questioned whether he would make it at the highest level.

But inspired by the story of Tom Brady, he vowed to work as hard as possible and that when his chance finally came he would ‘grab it’.

Harry refused to go out on another loan, opting to stay and prove his worth at Spurs. And through assiduous work on the training field Kane battled his way passed some illustrious names to the vanguard of the Tottenham attack.

Speaking to The Fighting Cock podcast, Spurs legend Micky Hazard highlighted the striker’s industry:

"“From the day Harry broke onto the scene to today, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone improve so much. Because he works constantly at his game, non-stop, 24/7, he’s working at his game. The difference is not just in his goal scoring, but his all round game.”"

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows

Of course, Harry’s work rate would be of little use were it not backed-up by his unwavering self-belief. Any Spurs fan knows not everything Harry touches immediately turns to gold.

Some days he can hit eight in a row endangering everything but the goal. But no one gets on his back. His head remains held high.

When he missed a penalty against Liverpool last season there was no doubt who was stepping up in front of a cauldron of enraged Kopites to hit the next one – or as to what the outcome would be this time. “You can’t give me two tries,” he said with a wry smile as he left the field.

It is such virtues that leave him so feted within the club and have inspired so many other young players. But, like all the greats, Kane has had to face his detractors.

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Ice in his veins

Harry caused quite a furore after being awarded a goal that goal versus Stoke back in April and was on the receiving end of a seemingly never ending jibes from fans, media, players, and even the PFA chairman.

But, like always, Harry Kane remained focused, reaching 30 goals in what was viewed as little more than a footnote in the campaign for anyone outside Spurs.

Harry has since taken the country’s captains armband and boldly talked up their chances in Russia as well as his own of winning the Golden Boot.

However, in England’s opening game against Tunisia it looked like it was going to be ‘one of those days.’ Chances were squandered, while the referee and his backroom staff offered little protection from the bear hugging Tunisians.

But Harry Kane kept plugging away and when his chance came in the dying moments he ‘grabbed it’ with both hands.

Next: Top 5 shocking England defeats

The Three Lions may not have the best team in the tournament, but they can certainly lay claim to having the best striker. How far do you think Harry Kane can lead England this summer?