Harry Kane reluctantly accepted that he had to take being substituted on the chin after offering little goal threat in England’s goalless draw with Scotland.
The captain made no attempt to disguise his frustration at being removed with 16 minutes remaining when the game was in the balance, but was careful to avoid criticising Gareth Southgate.
Kane has been substituted following subdued performances in both England’s matches to date, a far cry from the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he was not taken off once.
The 28-year-old had his quietest ever game for England in terms of possession last night when he touched the ball just 19 times in 74 minutes, although it would still be a major surprise if Southgate did not start him in England’s final group game against Czech Republic on Tuesday.
Southgate explained Kane’s substitution afterwards by saying that England needed more energy and runs in behind Scotland’s back three in the final quarter, although the introduction of Marcus Rashford did not have the desire effect.
‘We needed more runs in behind and I felt Marcus would give us that energy,’ Southgate said. ‘We have to make these decisions based on what we see.’
Kane also conceded that England had underperformed, but they remain in charge of their own destiny and victory over the Czechs will take them through to the last 16 as group winners and keep them at Wembley for the next round.
