England captain Harry Kane accepts Gareth Southgate’s decision to haul him off in 0-0 draw with Scotland – describing it as ‘part of the game’ as Three Lions falter in Euro 2020
- Harry Kane was substituted in England’s Euro 2020 game against Scotland
- The Three Lions captain offered little attacking threat during their goalless draw
- Southgate replaced him with Marcus Rashford in the 74th minute of the game
- England are set to face the Czech Republic in their final game next Tuesday
Harry Kane reluctantly accepted that he had to take being substituted on the chin after offering little goal threat in England’s goalless draw with Scotland.
The captain made no attempt to disguise his frustration at being removed with 16 minutes remaining when the game was in the balance, but was careful to avoid criticising Gareth Southgate.
Kane has been substituted following subdued performances in both England’s matches to date, a far cry from the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he was not taken off once.
Harry Kane was substituted in England’s Euro 2020 game against Scotland on Friday
The Three Lions captain offered little attacking threat during their goalless draw with Scotland
The 28-year-old had his quietest ever game for England in terms of possession last night when he touched the ball just 19 times in 74 minutes, although it would still be a major surprise if Southgate did not start him in England’s final group game against Czech Republic on Tuesday.
‘It’s part of the game,’ Kane said of his substitution. ‘The manager felt that was the right decision so you just have to take it. It is what it is.’
Southgate explained Kane’s substitution afterwards by saying that England needed more energy and runs in behind Scotland’s back three in the final quarter, although the introduction of Marcus Rashford did not have the desire effect.
‘We needed more runs in behind and I felt Marcus would give us that energy,’ Southgate said. ‘We have to make these decisions based on what we see.
Gareth Southgate replaced him with Marcus Rashford (left) in the 74th minute of the game
Kane was careful to avoid criticising Gareth Southgate (left) in his post match interview
‘The whole team can look at ourselves, and that starts with me. We’ve got to be better. We didn’t do enough to win the game tonight, there were not enough attempts on goal, and we have to go away and look at that.’
Kane also conceded that England had underperformed, but they remain in charge of their own destiny and victory over the Czechs will take them through to the last 16 as group winners and keep them at Wembley for the next round.
‘It wasn’t our best performance, but it’s another point closer to qualification and that’s our ultimate goal,’ Kane said. ‘It was a fair result, fair play to Scotland. We know no game is going to be easy as it’s a European Championship and Scotland are playing for their lives.
‘We’ve got another big game in a few days against the Czechs. It’s not what we wanted, but it’s one step closer to qualifying. One step at a time and we go again.’