Harry Kane ‘very likely’ to make more England history as 66-goal striker prepares to earn 100th cap & closes on record-holding Peter Shilton

The prolific striker, who fills the captain’s armband for his country, already fills a place in the history books with his 66 international goals. Nobody has scored more for England, with time still on the 31-year-old’s side when it comes to raising that bar.

Questions were asked of his contribution to the cause at Euro 2024, despite earning a share of the Golden Boot at that tournament, but he retained a starting berth for England’s UEFA Nations League opener against the Republic of Ireland and is being backed to chase down Peter Shilton at the top of the Three Lions’ appearance chart.

Ahead of becoming a centurion against Finland on Tuesday, ex-England international Danny Murphy has told the Daily Mail: “I think Kane is set to benefit hugely from Lee Carsley's philosophy, which is to give his players the freedom to do what they are good at. It was simple, but not rigid. Kane admitted on Friday that he was below-par at the Euros. He also gave Cristiano Ronaldo as an example of why, at 31, he should still have years ahead of him at the top. I think surpassing Peter Shilton's all-time England caps record of 125 is very likely. We don't have any strikers — not even Ollie Watkins — with the ability of Kane. Even when far from his best, Kane shared the Golden Boot at the Euros.”

Murphy added on the need to play to Kane’s strengths in order to bring the best out of him: “If you are going to build the attack around Kane — as you should because he is our best centre forward — the forward line has to suit him. To capitalise on his strengths, he needs natural wide players and other bodies closer to him, and we saw Declan Rice in particular getting up and even beyond him. None of that was evident during the Euros. The important thing is if Kane plays, he has to be the focal point. Against Ireland, he looked more like the England captain we know. It helped to have players running beyond him when he was dropping in. If he is fit and sharp you pick Kane every time because he is our best goalscorer, even if that means other big names miss out.”

Kane made his senior international debut for England in 2015, with his first goal recorded less than 80 seconds after stepping off the bench against Lithuania. Only Billy Wright and Bobby Moore have captained the Three Lions on more occasions than Kane – who is plying his club trade at Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.