Gareth Southgate has revealed that Harry Kane was desperate to get on to the pitch at half-time during England’s clash against San Marino on Thursday.
Kane was rested for the clash against the minnows with Southgate instead handing Dominic Calvert-Lewin a start.
The Everton man scored a brace as England created chance after chance and debutant Ollie Watkins, who replaced Calvert-Lewin just past the hour mark, also got on the scoresheet in the 5-0 win.
As expected, Kane returned to the starting line up for England’s clash against Albania yesterday, scoring one and assisting another in the Three Lions’ 2-0 win.
The Tottenham star’s brilliant first-half header was his 33rd goal for England which means that he is now just 20 short of Wayne Rooney’s all-time record tally of 53.
Southgate admitted that the 27-year-old was desperate to get on against San Marino in order to add to his tally but insisted that the striker understood the decision to rest him.
The Three Lions boss told The Evening Standard: “He (Kane) was desperate to get into the game and he was hovering around us at half-time smiling.
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“But I don’t think even he would deny Ollie Watkins that moment that he had.
“We had to look at the bigger picture and Harry totally understands that.
“We also want him to try to break those records and we are pretty sure he can do that.”
Spurs Web Opinion
England might have beaten San Marino 5-0 but they could have quite easily scored three or four more goals. Despite netting a brace, Calvert-Lewin did not really have his finishing boots on. It is understandable why Kane was so desperate to come on as he would have fancied his chances of netting a hattrick against that defence.
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