Southgate confirms Harry Kane to start vs Czech Republic

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By Conor Laird

Published: June 20, 2021 5:13 pm

Last Updated: June 20, 2021 5:17 pm

England boss Gareth Southgate has confirmed his plans for star striker Harry Kane, ahead of the nation’s showdown with the Czech Republic.

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Czech clash

The Three Lions are of course set to round out their Euro 2020 group stage campaign on Tuesday.

Southgate and co. will welcome the Czech Republic to Wembley, with memories of a 5-0 drubbing of their upcoming opponents back in 2019 still fresh in the memory.

Tuesday’s matchup, though, marks something of a peculiar one.

This comes with England in the knowledge that, when it comes to their chances of a deep tournament run, a draw with the table-topping Czechs could actually prove their best bet.

Southgate on Harry Kane’s status for Czech Republic clash

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JUNE 14: Patrik Schick of Czech Republic celebrates after scoring their side’s second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group D match between Scotland v Czech Republic at Hampden Park on June 14, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Petr Josek – Pool/Getty Images)

The winners of Group D are scheduled to take on the runners-up from the ‘Group of Death’ – likely to be one of France, Portugal or Germany – in the Euros’ Last-16.

Group D’s runners-up, on the other hand, face a meeting with their Group E counterparts, likely to be one of Sweden, Slovakia or a stuttering Spain.

‘Fundamental’

In turn, it has been widely suggested that Gareth Southgate could opt to rotate his squad, to afford some of his more fatigued players a much-needed rest.

One England star, however, certain to be utilised from the off in 48 hours’ time is Harry Kane.

Hitman Kane has of course come in for heavy criticism of late, on the back of disappointing showings in both of the Three Lions’ first two group outings.

Speaking in a press conference this evening, though, Southgate confirmed that the Tottenham standout remains as ‘fundamental’ to his setup as ever, with a start versus the Czech Republic therefore guaranteed:

‘You can assume that, yes absolutely. he is fundamental not only to the goals he scored but the build-up play and everything else he brings.’

‘I know there will be a lot of questions being asked about him at the moment but he has been through that 100 times before and I have answered that in this role several times in the past and he has come up with the goals that have won us the next games and I expect that to be the same moving forward.’

BREAKING: Gareth Southgate has confirmed Harry Kane will start England’s #Euro2020 clash against the Czech Republic.

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 20, 2021