Harry Kane admits that he is not untouchable despite being England captain and the country’s sixth all-time leading goalscorer.
England manager Gareth Southgate praised Kane’s performance against Croatia, despite the fact he did not score and substituted the 27-year-old towards the end of the game.
Kane will start against Scotland on Friday night, but the Tottenham Hotspur star does not consider his place safe no matter what.
Asked by ITV if he is undroppable, Kane said: “You will have to ask Gareth, but I never look at it that way. We have great competition for places.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin has come in and done great. For me it is about training how I train every day, try and be the best and try and improve every day and, when I play, try and give my best for the team.
“I think that is what everyone is doing at the moment and I am sure there will be rotation among all the players in this tournament and everyone is waiting for the chance to try and make an impact.”
Pushed on whether or not he really believes he could start an England game on the substitutes’ bench, Kane added: “Well that is not my decision. I will train as hard as I can to play and that is the aim to try and lead the boys out and win the games.”
Kane faced Croatia less than 24 hours after his former team-mate Christian Eriksen had suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark, which paused England’s preparations for their first game.
“I texted him, but haven’t got a response yet, obviously,” said Kane. “He is going under some tests. My wife managed to speak to his wife and she said, obviously, they are doing ok, they are going through the checks.
“It was a scary time for him and his family as well. It was dreadful to watch. Like I said at the weekend, I am wishing him all the best and his family all the best, and I am hoping he makes a speedy recovery.
“Sometimes we take things for granted and we take football for granted and life for granted. That was a reminder that things can be taken away so quickly.
“Like we said, it was a dreadful thing to watch and experience. For us it is just about enjoying this experience, enjoying this tournament and going out there with no fear. We want to win, we are all winners, we are passionate to win – just express yourself and enjoy the occasion because they don’t come around too often.”