LONDON – England captain Harry Kane insists the Three Lions’ squad are too united to be divided by the tension surrounding the Premier League title race and upcoming Champions League ties.
Four English sides have reached the last eight of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time in a decade.
Tottenham striker Kane is set to face a host of international teammates who play for Manchester City three times in two legs of a Champions League quarter-final, and a vital Premier League match next month.
City and Liverpool are vying for the title, while Spurs face competition from Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea for a top-four finish.
“I think the great thing about this team, this England camp, we have a bit of fun and a laugh and a joke, but when we are here, it is 100 percent England,” said Kane on Tuesday.
“We put that to one side, even the Liverpool and City boys. When we are here, it is 100 percent England, and when we go back, I’m sure there will plenty of text messages and group messages flying about.”
And unlike England camps of old – where club rivalries have left to factions forming on international duty – Kane believes Gareth Southgate’s squad will not be distracted ahead of Euro 2020 qualifiers against Czech Republic on Friday and away to Montenegro on Monday.
Meeting up for the first time in 2019! Check out all of the best moments as the #ThreeLions arrived at @StGeorgesPark yesterday.
👉 https://t.co/bmZZEp3Evu👈 pic.twitter.com/gfixcZzaZj
— England (@England) March 19, 2019
“We’ve got a great bond here, and at the end of the day, we are good friends. Whether we play for one club or another, when we come here, we get on very well,” the skipper said.
“Of course when we are back at our clubs, we try 110 percent to try and beat each other.
“But we have that respect for each other that we can talk afterwards and be friends.”
Great to be back with the @England team 🦁🦁🦁 #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/QuIVRl3ren
— Harry Kane (@HKane) March 19, 2019