HARRY KANE rose to the occasion once again in front of the ultimate big-game player.
Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo – the Brazilian one – was watching on from the stands as Kane edged a tight game against Wolves with a predatory header for 1-0.
It is testament to Kane’s abilities that he can even be mentioned in the same breath as El Fenomeno, who many see as the greatest centre-forward of the modern era.
Ronaldo, now 45, was outrageously talented and his ability to perform when it really mattered most put him a cut above the rest.
That was certainly the case at the 2002 World Cup, where he finished top-scorer with eight goals including a double to down Germany in the final.
Kane is yet to win any team prizes in his career.
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But his haul of 185 Premier League strikes is now the most of any player in the division’s history for one club, going one clear of Sergio Aguero.
Spurs’ talisman is desperate to end that trophyless run and many seem to think this year, under Antonio Conte, could be his best chance yet.
The fact that Tottenham have taken seven points from their opening three games against Southampton, Chelsea and Wolves without even playing that well bodes well.
The expectation has gone up too after last season’s qualification for the Champions League, the good business in the transfer market and the fact Conte is known as a born-winner.
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Yet Kane has no problem with the heat cranking up on him and his team-mates – because thriving in it is what winning teams do.
England’s captain said: “I think that if you want to do something important in the season you have to be able to handle those high-pressure situations.
“In the big games, in the tight games like Wolves, you have to be able to come out on top and build those points throughout the whole year.
“We’ve started the season well. Obviously the first game (against Southampton) we played really well and the next two we know we can improve but we’ve got good results.
“That’s pleasing to see. But also we know you can’t keep that up the whole season, we have to be better, especially in the first half.”
Spurs were poor in the opening 45 against Bruno Lage’s side, as they were against Chelsea last week.
But what mattered most is they dug out a result, thanks to Kane’s goal which was teed up by Ivan Perisic flicking on Son Heung-min’s corner.
Perisic, 33, was making his first start for the club since his summer freebie move from Inter Milan.
The Croat looked to have the quality, mentality and tactical awareness that a Champions League winner should possess.
He was the club’s first signing of the close-season, followed by Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Clement Lenglet, Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie, who has been loaned back to Udinese.
Kane added: “We’re just building a good squad. Players who have the passion and desire to win every moment, every game.
“That’s what creates a good environment.
“You see it in training, you see the competition for places and everyone ready to go at it and try to impress the manager. That’s really important.
“We’ve definitely strengthened. The mentality was starting to change towards the back end of last year.
“To get Champions League in the way we did and performing in high-pressure situations at the end of the season was really important.
“And of course we’ve added to the squad, we’ve got better, we’ve improved, we’ve had a good pre-season with the manager.
“He demands a lot from us on the pitch, off the pitch, (with the) mentality.
“But also it’s still really early on in the season so time will tell. But we’re in a good place.”
Kane had not spoken to Ronaldo by the time he chatted to reporters after the game.
Though he was excited to see the great man’s presence having been made aware he was at the game through social media.
The 29-year-old added: “We’ve got a few Brazilians in our team now so I’m sure he was watching some of those.
“Ronaldo was one of the greatest strikers of all time. I loved watching himon You Tube as I was growing up. It was great to see him here.”
One day, a top Brazilian striker may be saying the same thing about Kane long after the Three Lions skipper has hung up his boots.
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By then he will have hoped to have finally won some silverware.
If he and his team-mates can continue to come out on top in these “high-pressure situations”, there is a very good chance that will be the case.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
