'Killer' Kane primed to take on the Bernabeu

Striker's hat-trick at Apoel marks him out as Spurs' danger man in upcoming glamour tie

Tottenham striker Harry Kane celebrating his hat-trick against Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia. He has been in a purple patch of form since the start of September.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane celebrating his hat-trick against Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia. He has been in a purple patch of form since the start of September. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

NICOSIA (Cyprus) • Harry Kane says that Tottenham Hotspur will go to Real Madrid next month to win as he felt the confidence overflow after his hat-trick in Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League victory at Apoel Nicosia.

The striker admits that he has never felt better, on the back of the rich vein of form he has found this month.

Kane did not panic after his quirk of not finding the net in August continued and, so far in September, he has scored twice in two matches for England and nine in five for Tottenham.

Kane's sights are fixed on getting more at Huddersfield Town this Saturday - on the final day of the month - but he also allowed his thoughts to take in Tottenham's next Champions League fixture.

It comes against Real at the Bernabeu on Oct 17 - Tottenham then host the European champions at Wembley on Nov 1 - and, as much as anything else, Kane scents opportunity.

Tottenham are joint-top of Group H with Real, having followed up the 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley with the success in Nicosia.

Kane has never been to the Bernabeu. He intends to make his mark.

"We feel we can beat anyone on our day," the England striker said. "Of course, we know it will be tough, but it's two good teams and an open game, probably.

"It will come down to who is more clinical in the final third - hopefully, that can be us.

"We are going there to win, not just to get a result. We will see what happens."

The 24-year-old has sparked an outbreak of Kane-mania. Everybody is talking about him; his name dominates the headlines.

Already, the tie at the Bernabeu is being built up as Kane versus Cristiano Ronaldo - one of the two kings of world football, from whom Kane takes some of his inspiration.

Kane is determined to rise to the top of his sport like Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

As an aside, it feels as though Tottenham's reunion with Gareth Bale, who left them for Real in 2013, has been overlooked.

"I've never met Ronaldo but I'm a fan, of course," Kane said.

"I'm a fan of great footballers and he is one of the best - especially of my generation.

"We probably won't be up against each other much in the game, but it's always great to play the best in the world.

"They have one of the best defences with (Sergio) Ramos, Marcelo, players like that. I want to test myself against the best.

"It's going to be exciting. I want to put in a performance like I have been recently."

  • 19

    Goals Harry Kane scored in his past nine away games for club and country.

    4

    Kane is the second Englishman to score in four Champions League matches in a row. Steven Gerrard scored in five in the 2007-08 season for Liverpool.

    7

    Kane is the seventh English player to score a Champions League hat-trick after Andy Cole, Mike Newell, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer and Danny Welbeck.

Tottenham were "not fantastic" against Apoel, to quote the manager, Mauricio Pochettino, but Kane was. Every time he went through, it felt inevitable that he would finish. To watch him was to enjoy a player at the peak of his powers.

"I'd say it's the most confident I've felt," Kane said.

"I've scored quite a few goals this September and there's another game left at Huddersfield on Saturday.

"Hopefully, I can take the form into that game and keep going."

Pochettino described Kane as a "killer" in front of goal.

"He has something special in front of goal and that is why he's one of the best," said the Argentinian.

" All the strikers who are at this level have something special. They are killers. Harry has this special skill.

"Him and Ronaldo are completely different types of players. For me, Harry is one of the best strikers. Cristiano is different - he is not a main striker, like Messi.

"It doesn't change my perception of Harry. He is one of the best but I don't want to say I am in love with him, like I did after Saturday's win at West Ham.

"My wife is so jealous and so is his wife! He's unbelievable."

THE GUARDIAN

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 28, 2017, with the headline 'Killer' Kane primed to take on the Bernabeu. Subscribe