Kane: Marines camp was amazing

Harry Kane wants to take his prolific form into England’s clash with Scotland

Harry Kane says England’s surprise boot camp with the Royal Marines was one of the best experiences of his life ahead of the crucial World Cup Qualifier against Scotland.

England manager Gareth Southgate shocked his squad on Friday when instead of settling down at their St George’s Park base, he marched them to the Commando Training Centre in Devon for assault courses and camping.

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Ahead of the rival clash at Hampden Park, live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday, Kane revealed the idea was to get the England players out of their comfort zone and learn to adapt to the unexpected.

The England squad were put through gruelling assault courses in Devon

“For me it was an amazing experience. Even just talking to the Marines, hearing stories of what they’ve been through,” the Tottenham striker said.

“It was a bit of a surprise. We turned up here and all of a sudden we were going down there and doing that.

“It was about seeing how we can adapt do different situations in a football match; like people getting sent off, or going 1-0 down. Being in the woods, camping, or doing obstacle courses, was about adapting to whatever is thrown in front of us.

Kane says it was ‘amazing’ listening to the Royal Marines’ experiences

“It was stuff I’ve never done in my life and the players haven’t either. The camping, seeing how they conduct themselves, some of the stuff they go through – it was one of the best experiences of my life.”

Premier League Golden Boot winner Kane has emerged as England’s first-choice centre-forward and, instead of worrying under the pressure, the 23-year-old says he wants to emulate Alan Shearer and turn his prolific club form into national team success.

He said: “As a striker you’re always going to be under scrutiny. People are always going to look for you for goals.

The striker has only scored five goals in 17 appearances for England so far

“But I’m confident at the minute. I haven’t played for England for a while due to injury so I’m excited to play again and hopefully score.

“With club football, you’re in a rhythm all the time, but with your country it’s not like that – you meet up now and then and it’s something I’ve got to get used to. Five in 17 [for England] isn’t terrible but If I can get a hat-trick at the weekend and another few in the next game, that ratio won’t look as bad.

“I don’t really look at records, but I look at past players and how they played and obviously Alan Shearer was a fantastic player for club and country, which I aspire to be. Watching players like that can only help me.”