Harry Kane had no problem with Gareth Southgate’s decision to draw him against Scotland on Friday night and believes there are positive things to take from the game despite England’s poor performances.
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The forward was replaced by Marcus Rashford with 15 minutes left at Wembley Stadium – meaning he was now replaced in both English matches of the tournament – despite the Three Lions desperately needing a goal to break the deadlock.
The eyebrows were raised when it became clear that the England captain would be the man who would make room for Rashford – with Kane himself obviously confused – but the Tottenham man has accepted the decision.
“It’s part of the game,” he told reporters (via the Daily Mail). “The boss thought it was the right decision so you just have to make it. That’s what it is.”
After the match, Southgate was asked why he decided to withdraw the man with 34 goals in 56 international matches when his side was looking for a breakthrough.
Harry Kane was taken off with 15 minutes to play / Matt Dunham – Pool / Getty Images
“We needed more driving behind and I felt that Marcus would give us that energy,” he replied. “We have to make these decisions based on what we see.
“The whole team can look at ourselves, and it starts with me. We have to get better. We did not do enough to win the game tonight, there were not enough goal attempts and we have to go away and look at that.”
Despite a disappointment from England, the score moves them one step closer to the qualifiers and a victory in their last group trip to the Czech Republic will secure the top spot in Group D.
Kane says that his side can not have any complaints about the result, but claims that England has taken a strong position on the way into the third round of matches.
Gareth Southgate defends his decision to remove Harry Kane / Chloe Knott – Danehouse / Getty Images
“It was not our best performance, but it’s another point closer to qualifying and that’s our ultimate goal,” he said. “It was a fair result, fair play for Scotland. We know no game will be easy because it is a European Championship and Scotland play for their lives.
“We have another big game in a few days against the Czechs. It is not what we wanted, but it is one step closer to the qualifiers. One step at a time and we will go again.”
