WITH the clock ticking past the 90th minute of Harry Kane’s first game as England captain, it is safe to say things were not really going to plan.

Throwing away a one-goal lead at Hampden Park in a World Cup qualifier was bad enough, with Leigh Griffiths having fired Scotland level with an 87th-minute free-kick, but worse was to follow in the final minute of the game, when Griffiths stepped up to strike a second set-piece past Joe Hart.

From 1-0 up to 2-1 down in the space of three minutes, and all in the Auld enemy’s own backyard. Cometh the hour, though, cometh the new England skipper.

In the third minute of stoppage time, Raheem Sterling delivered a cross from the left, and after peeling off his marker, a jubilant Kane volleyed home at the back post. Embarrassment avoided, no need to head off homeward, ‘tae think again’.

England’s rivalry with Scotland might not have the same resonance it once did – the two nations’ diverging fortunes, the scrapping of the old Home Internationals and the rise in importance of competitions such as the Champions League have seen to that.

But as he looks back to the events of June 2017, Kane knows just how much it means to enjoy a golden moment against the Scots.

“That was one of my favourite goals I’ve scored in an England shirt, for sure,” said Kane. “The atmosphere that day was incredible really. Obviously, the noise when Scotland went ahead was absolutely crazy, but then all of a sudden for us to score and see the away fans was a great feeling.

“Of course, it would be great to be able to do that again, especially if it means us being able to win and helping the team. But for sure, that was one of my favourite goals. It was my first game as captain of England as well, so it holds a special place in my heart.”

While England impressed as a team as they beat Croatia in their opening game of the tournament last weekend, Kane’s opportunities were limited as he was smothered by the Croatian defence.

He slid a shot wide at the back post, but that was his only real opportunity as the Croatian defenders tended to double up on him in and around the 18-yard box.

His performance at the last World Cup, when he finished with the golden boot, allied to his sustained goalscoring success in the Premier League with Tottenham, means he is a marked man whenever he walks onto the field.

However, having spent most of his career coming up with plans to break free of opposition defences, he is unperturbed by the special attention he is set receive throughout Euro 2020.

“As a player, I think I’ve learned to cope with different tactical approaches over the years,” said Kane. “I guess every country has their own style of playing, and stopping certain threats, but from my point of view, I’d like to think I’m able to manage that on the pitch.

“I can see where the space is, see when I have to drop deep, and see when I have to run in behind or hold up the ball. That comes with being a professional footballer at the highest level, you have to learn how to deal with those things. All I focus on is trying to help the team, and whatever way possible that is, then I’ll do it.”

Kane’s club future remains a subject of considerable conjecture, with his post-season comments at Tottenham’s failure to compete for major trophies having been interpreted as a strong indication that he is looking to secure a move away from North London.

Having been unable to claim any major silverware with his club side, his attention is firmly fixed on trying to win the European Championships with England, an ambition he feels is within his side’s capabilities.

“There’s a lot of hard work, and major tournaments aren’t easy to win, but to have that opportunity now is exciting for me,” said Kane.

"Me and all the rest of the players, we want to make our country proud and make each other proud.

"Wearing that shirt does that, and obviously to win a major tournament would do that as well.”