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Kane holds key to Spurs’ European ambitions
LONDON, March 4, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Harry Kane insists Tottenham will shake
off their Premier League collapse as the England star looks to fire his team
into the Champions League quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund on
Tuesday.
In the space of seven days, Tottenham’s hopes of winning the Premier League
have been shattered by defeats at Burnley and Chelsea and Saturday’s north
London derby draw against Arsenal.
It was just the latest Tottenham failure when the stakes have been at their
highest since Mauricio Pochettino took charge five years ago.
Only a last-minute Hugo Lloris penalty save from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
prevented Arsenal inflicting Tottenham’s third successive loss.
But Kane is convinced Tottenham are capable of recovering from a painful
week and he challenged his team to use their Champions League last-16 second
leg in Dortmund as fuel to speed up their revival.
“Two disappointing results in a week, this was the perfect game, a north
London derby to show passion and show fans we are ready to fight for the rest
of the season,” said Kane, who scored their penalty equaliser against
Arsenal.
“It’s a point, we wanted three but it stops the losing streak and we can
focus on Dortmund and then Southampton.
“Over the last week we have put ourselves under pressure but we have done
it in the past and every game is a big game.”
Tottenham have one foot in the last eight after a 3-0 first-leg win at
Wembley.
Now they must finish the job against Dortmund to book their first Champions
League quarter-final appearance since 2011.
That would leave Tottenham within touching distance of their first European
semi-final since winning the UEFA Cup in 1984.
– Barren spell – Progressing in Europe’s elite club competition could be
essential for Tottenham to convince Kane that they can provide him with the
platform to win major honours.
Without a top trophy since the 2008 League Cup, Tottenham’s barren spell is
reportedly weighing heavily on Kane, who was said to be “devastated and
angry” following their 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Wednesday.
Ironically, Tottenham’s form has dipped at the exact moment Kane returned
from an ankle injury.
The 25-year-old is back ahead of schedule, prompting some to suggest he has
rushed back too soon.
Bu Kane has scored in two of his three games over the last week, taking his
goal tally for the season to 22.
To claim the 2018 World Cup top-scorer is an impediment to Tottenham in any
way would be met with derision from Pochettino.
The Argentine is adamant Kane is one of the world’s best strikers and his
Champions League record supports that belief.
Kane, who missed the Dortmund first leg, has 13 goals in 16 appearances in
the competition.
His confidence in his own ability is so strong that earlier this season he
made it his aim to eventually score more European goals than Barcelona legend
Lionel Messi.
For now, Pochettino would settle for Kane helping Tottenham past Dortmund.
“After two defeats it was important to build again our positive ways,”
Pochettino said.
“We have a very difficult game on Tuesday against Borussia Dortmund and
arriving in a better condition than we arrived today is going to be key.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/0836 hrs