Harry Kane gives verdict on Lee Carsley after returning for England following drop

England romped to a 5-0 victory over Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium on Sunday with captain Harry Kane returning to the starting lineup and scoring the first from the penalty spot

Harry Kane believes the pass that kick-started England’s romp against the Republic of Ireland “is one of the best” he has EVER made.

The England skipper’s ball set up a glorious chance for Jude Bellingham and when the Real Madrid man was fouled by Liam Scales, the Irish went down to ten men and Kane converted the penalty to set England on their way. And when asked if it was as good a pass as he has hit in his career, Kane smiled: “I think so. It is one of the best. I expected Jude to go and score but then it probably worked out best with them getting a man sent off and me finishing it off.”

After being dropped from the starting line-up in Athens last Thursday, Kane’s position has been under recent scrutiny. And the Bayern Munich striker admits Thomas Tuchel will have plenty of big decisions to make when he takes charge of his first games in March.

Kane went on: “Thomas has got a lot of players to choose from. He’s got young players who have come in and done really well and he’s got some experienced players who are injured and will come back and fight for their place. We’ve got a good balance. I’m sure he’ll be looking at everyone.”

And even though Lee Carsley axed Kane for the Greece game, the skipper paid tribute to the interim manager after his final game in charge. Kane said: “Lee has been top drawer and all the staff as well. It’s never easy after a European Championship to come and go again, especially when you come and play the Nations League.

“Sometimes the motivation is a little bit less but they showed great energy and bled through some of the younger lads. Some of the lads might not have got an opportunity if it wasn’t for him.”

One of those players who might not have got an opportunity if Carsley had not been the man in charge was Taylor Harwood-Bellis. And the Southampton defender, who replaced Kyle Walker just after the hour mark, celebrated a memorable debut by scoring England’s fifth goal.

“It is a great day for me and my family,” beamed Harwood-Bellis. “It's every young kid’s dream to make their debut and to score the goal is magical. I had a few hints that I would be needed at some point and when I got the nod to come on, I was over the moon.

‘There's always a pathway and us young ones do believe we can get into the seniors. We know the door is open if we take our chances. Playing for my country at every level is something I take such pride in. To play for the seniors is something you dream of - it is the pinnacle of football … to do it and score is some feeling.”

Remarkably, Harwood-Bellis was one of four players to score their first international goal and another, Anthony Gordon, was thankful to finally get off the mark. Gordon said: “Better late than never. It's definitely about time!

“It was a good feeling to see it hit the net, I got to spend it with some of the lads that I have come through the England set-up with, that made it a bit more special.”

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