Harry Kane doubles down on criticism of England drop-outs as he insists taking part in for Three Lions is ‘actually actually particular’

Even for someone accustomed to the hyperbole of modern-day professional football, it has been a whirlwind few days for the England captain.

Harry Kane was quick to acknowledge yesterday his surprise at how quickly his remarks, where he appeared to criticise England’s raft of drop-outs for putting club before country ahead of Thursday’s match against Greece, caught fire — although you still wonder if it was the striker’s intention to rattle some cages he felt needed rattling.

Then came the biggest shock of all, his omission from the starting XI for the eventual 3-0 win in Athens. Credit to Kane for fronting up. After a tumultuous few days, he could easily have skipped media duties.

But Kane isn’t one to shirk, perhaps a pertinent expression given his comments to ITV last week that caused such a stir.

And while Kane admits he was bewildered at how much attention his interview has spawned, there was no sense of retraction from the Bayern Munich star.

No hint of trying to repair any damage his apparent shot across the bows might have caused. More of the opposite, in fact, almost a doubling down.

‘I think I gave my opinion on the matter. I think I probably didn’t expect it to get as much coverage as it did,’ conceded Kane.

‘But it was my opinion, just my opinion that England is really important. After a major championship like in the summer, sometimes these September, October and November camps get forgotten a little bit, in terms of how important they are.

‘If we win against Ireland it sets us up really well for the year ahead to the World Cup. These are the camps where you build that culture and togetherness that lead you into a World Cup. So it was just a reminder that playing for England is really special.’

You understand Kane’s concern. The culture of togetherness so brilliantly cultivated by Gareth Southgate was arguably the former head coach’s most significant achievement during his eight-year tenure.

Players knew skipping squads might have consequences under Southgate, so much so that Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luke Shaw and Jude Bellingham were among the players who even reported for duty while injured.

Asked whether there was a fragility to that culture, Kane answered: ‘I think so. It takes a long time to build, and maybe not so long to lose if you’re not careful. But I think we’re well aware of that, the experienced players. We have a really open relationship here as players.

‘I know it got portrayed as digging out the players, but that wasn’t what I was trying to say.

‘It was just the fact that this isn’t a thing that we want to see regularly, and it hasn’t been the case in recent years under Gareth (Southgate) and that is a really important part of why the team have done really well.’

It will be up to incoming head coach Thomas Tuchel to ensure what Southgate has built doesn’t fold like a pack of cards.

Despite his omission from the starting XI against Greece, it’s hard to forecast a Tuchel line-up that doesn’t include Kane. It was the German who persuaded Bayern Munich to spend £120million on the striker last year after all. ‘I think he really enjoys working with English players,’ said Kane.

‘I think he likes the mentality of English players and has a great balance of having a relaxed environment but also one that when it comes to work he’s really passionate and really energetic.’

He added: ‘Just from my own experience, last year (at Bayern) he did a lot around togetherness and motivational stuff. Whether that’s videos or speeches, or whatever that might be, he’s a really good motivator.

‘So I think he’s got great balance. Tactically, he’s known for being one of the best — but also the energy he brings. He gets that balance right of having a relaxed environment when you’re not training, with a bit of banter and a laugh and a joke, but when you’re on the pitch it is full focus.

‘He is really disciplined in what he wants and he won’t shy away from confrontation if need be.’

Ultimately, however, Tuchel will be graded on one criterion: World Cup 2026. He has been appointed to win. Second is no longer good enough for England thanks to Southgate’s body of work.

‘Everyone has their own stamp, everyone has their own way of doing things,’ added Kane.

‘I think he will understand the assignment and understand that a big part of it will be him bringing energy to the squad.

‘Until he starts we don’t really know but I’m hoping that come March it will be a real injection of energy to lead us up to the World Cup. I think the fans will take to him — but again, it will be results-dependent. Ultimately England fans want to win. We all want to win.

‘I think he gives us a great opportunity to do that with his history and Champions Leagues and big competitions. Obviously he knows he’s going to have to — I don’t want to say win the fans over — but obviously produce, and that’s by playing style and results.

‘But ultimately in 19 months if we win the World Cup I don’t think anyone’s going to have a problem with him.’