Tottenham striker Harry Kane will captain England at the upcoming World Cup in Russia. England boss Gareth Southgate named Kane as his skipper for the tournament during a meeting with the squad at St. George's Park on Monday night. Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier have previously captained England under Southgate but it is Kane who will take the armband in Russia. "It is an amazing honour. You always dream of playing for England growing up and to be the captain is that little bit more," said the Spurs striker. Image: England boss Gareth Southgate named his captain to the squad on Monday "I'm so excited for the World Cup. I can't wait to be there and experience it. To be leading the lads out is going to be special. "But for me, nothing changes. I'm still the person, the same player. It is just about the team. We will do what we can and go as far as we can." Southgate added: "Harry has some outstanding personal qualities. He is a meticulous professional and one of the most important things for a captain is that they set the standard every day. "He has belief and high standards and it is a great message for the team to have a captain who has shown that it is possible to be one of the best in the world over a consistent period of time and that has been his drive. Image: Kane has scored 41 goals for Tottenham this season "My feeling is that over the last 18 months in the camps that he's been with us he has shown that he has got the desire to take that into a team environment and he recognises the importance of bringing others with him. "Of course, Harry will need the support of the other good leaders that we have got around him. You don't become a top team by just having a good captain with good values because that has got to spread right throughout the group but I think he is the one who is ready to take that challenge on." England face Tunisia in their opening game on June 18 before playing Panama and Belgium in their remaining Group G fixtures.<doc-sep>Get the latest Spurs news direct to your inbox! Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Gary Lineker says Harry Kane will be a Golden Boot contender at this World Cup because he usually delivers “in the moment of truth.” Lineker won the 'Oscar' for goal-scorers at the finals in Mexico 32 years ago, when Bobby Robson's players were only allowed one phone call home per week — from their hotel lobby. And BBC Match of the Day's well-connected anchorman is backing his successor as England captain to rise to the twin burdens of being focal point in attack and leader. Lineker warned that the armband will not give Kane any “mystical” powers in Russia. (Image: FIFA via Getty) Kane's 24 caps for the Three Lions have yielded 13 goals so far, but to date none has been scored at a major tournament, where the legends of most great strikers are created. Lineker said: “Kane is England's talisman and he won't be scared of the challenge. “In the moment of truth, that split-second which sets top strikers apart from the rest, he invariably delivers. His record over the last four years is terrific. (Image: Reuters) (Image: Getty) (Image: Getty) “Like all strikers, he needs to hit form at the right time, but you can never be sure of doing that at a major tournament because he will only be at his most effective if the team plays well. “The Golden Boot is not the be-all and end-all at a World Cup, but to win it you have to go a long way in the tournament. “Sometimes you need a lightbulb moment, where everything clicks into place. We didn't have much joy in our first two games in 1986, but then I struck up a partnership with Peter Beardsley and everything fell into place. (Image: Getty) “You are not going to score in five or six games in a row to win the Golden Boot, so you probably need a freakish game where everything drops for you – I scored a hat-trick in half an hour against Poland, and suddenly the world's my oyster. “It's a symbol of prestige which says you performed at the highest level and in the best company. Kane is capable of winning it if England play to his strengths, but they will need to win a few games.” Lineker approves of Kane's ascent to the captaincy, even if he believes the importance of the role is overstated. (Image: Reuters) He said: “In England we make a song and dance about the captain like no other nation, but the reality is that it doesn't make one jot of difference on the pitch. “We get obsessed about it, but a captain's armband doesn't come with special mystical powers that make you run faster or jump higher. You can't affect the team's performance like a captain in Test cricket can influence the game with bowling changes, field settings and, in one case, Bodyline. “After half an hour against Belgium or whoever, Harry Kane is not going to say, 'Right, lads, we're switching to 3-5-2' – that's the manager's job. You [as captain] have no say on tactics. That's a fact. “But in Harry's case, he won't be weighed down by responsibility. He's already one of the very best in the business at what he does. “I like his hunger, I like the way he doesn't get too euphoric when he does well or too low when things go against him. And there isn't an area of his game you would call a weakness. When the ball is in or around the box, he comes alive. “I just hope England get the most out of him in Russia.”<doc-sep>THE photo shows David Beckham with his arm around Harry Kane on the banks of the Thames. Little did Goldenballs know back then that the 11-year-old at his academy would one day be following in his footsteps as England captain. 9 Harry Kane, right, met David Beckham when he was a kid - with his partner Kate Goodland Credit: Rex Features 9 Kane leads England players during a training session in Russia Credit: Richard Pelham - The Sun Kane has taken inspiration from Becks battling back from Public Enemy No 1 to national hero. At France 98 Beckham was infamously sent off against Argentina for kicking Diego Simeone in their last-16 clash. But four years later, after single-handedly dragging his country to the World Cup, he got his revenge with a penalty winner against the Argies in the group stages. Current Three Lions skipper Kane was part of the Euro 2016 humiliation against Iceland and wants to make amends. David Beckham excited by World Cup return to Americas for 2026 9 David Beckham was public enemy No 1 after his red card for kicking out at Diego Simeone at France 98 Credit: PA:Press Association 9 By the next World Cup, Beckham was England's captain and the nation's favourite player Credit: Reuters The 23-year-old said: “What happened to David shows how fine the margins can be at the World Cup. “In the big moments, it is all about how you react. David showed his mental strength to go from villain to hero, that’s the kind of person it is. “He was a big hero of mine because of the way he conducted himself, on and off the pitch. “He was a player who gave everything every time he wore the shirt — that’s the kind of captain I want to be remembered as. “David is a huge England fan and every player in the squad has a lot of respect for him.” 9 Kane is hoping to make amends for the humiliating defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016 Credit: Getty Images - Getty 9 England were dumped out of the competition by the tiny Nordic nation Credit: PA:Press Association The photo with Beckham was taken 13 years ago when Kane was with Spurs’ youth team and on a visit to Becks’ academy in Greenwich. On Beckham’s right is Kate Goodland, who is now Kane’s fiancee and mum to daughter Ivy, with the couple expecting another baby. With a young family at home and Kane leading a young team on the pitch, there is real hope of success in Russia after years of heartache. There is now no trace of the Golden Generation that Beckham was the pin-up boy for. Kane said: “Hopefully we can go out and play with a freedom other England teams haven’t had. “All we want is to do the country proud. “We need to get the nation back with us after the disappointment of the Euros. “What happened in France two years ago was hard to take. Mystic meerkats from London Zoo make their World Cup predictions on England vs. Tunisia 9 Kane and Kate Goodland are expecting another baby Credit: Kate Goodland/Instagram “But with every down there is usually an up and I have told myself throughout my career that the important thing is not to get too high when things are going well, or too low when they’re not. “All I can promise is I will do my best and the team will do their best.” Walthamstow lad Kane said his game will not change with the Three Lions armband and the team will always come first. He added: “I don’t feel any extra pressure just because I’m wearing the armband. I feel exactly the same. “My game won’t change and my personality won’t. I still look to push myself, to push other players and I hope my team-mates can now look at me as someone they can talk to. “But I’m still the same man. I don’t feel like just because I’m captain I don’t have to maintain the standards I have set.” 9 England players prepare for their World Cup opener against Tunisia on Monday Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Gareth Southgate shared the captaincy around during qualifying and in pre-World Cup friendlies, with Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier also wearing the armband. The England manager still wants players to take responsibility and that could see others doing media duties on the eve of games. Kane said: “It’s more a case of when you are England’s striker, you have a responsibility to score the goals. “As captain, maybe there will be even more expectation on my shoulders but I think it’s important to have four, five, six players who can lead. “We have to have a number of players who, in a bad situation, will speak up and be honest with each other. “It can’t be just because I am captain that all the decisions fall on my shoulders.” Kane will lead England out at the Volgograd Arena against Tunisia tomorrow looking to get off the mark with victory in a World Cup opener for the first time since 2006. 9 Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate shares a laugh with his players ahead of Monday's clash Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS WHAT A JEN How old is Jermaine Jenas and what's his net worth? MEDALS 1 CAPS 0 Stars who won World Cup without playing a single game, like Fulham's Areola HORROR ORDEAL Brit gang-rape victims bravely fought off attacker by biting him, say cops RU BEAUTY Who is Ruby Mae and how long has she been with Dele Alli? PRETTY WOMAN Amanda Holden spotted in £85 Forever Unique 'Pretty Woman' dress Cheap as kits Here's where you can get England's 2018 football kit the cheapest HIGH PRAISE Obama brands Messi 'wonderful' as he offers advice over World Cup struggles Quiz RUSSIA REWIND See how much you can remember about the craziest moments at World Cup 2018 The Spurs striker added: “The first game is always huge. If we win it gives us momentum — but if we don’t win we won’t think we’re not going through. “Tunisia will want to put an upset on the cards but we won’t underestimate them because we know they’re a good team.” Skipper Kane is ready to tackle any World Cup racists. England’s players have discussed what would happen if black players were targeted and will inform the referee instead of walking off in protest. Kane said: “If the situation arises, we know how to deal with it. “First and foremost, we are all desperate for it not to happen. If it does, we will know what to do.” Tweet @mcgrathmike<doc-sep>
'It's not an excuse that we're young' - England captain Kane New England captain Harry Kane says the team can win the World Cup in Russia and "anything else is not good enough". Striker Kane, 24, was informed about being made skipper by manager Gareth Southgate a few weeks ago and it was officially confirmed on Tuesday. Kane scored 41 goals in all competitions last season as Tottenham finished third in the Premier League. "It's impossible not to dream about lifting the World Cup. It's the biggest competition in the world," said Kane. "I believe we can win it - anyone can. I cannot sit here and say we are not going to win it because we could do. "It is my mindset and I want to win at everything I do. The players in the team want to as well. It is worth fighting for. I am sure we have all had dreams of lifting it and it is an opportunity for us. "We are not favourites but you look at this season, no-one would have thought Liverpool getting to the Champions League final. You look at Manchester United back in the Sir Alex Ferguson days, they had a young team and dominated the Premier League for years to come. "Being young is not an excuse - it could be a good thing. I believe we can and that is what we want to try and do. Anything else is not good enough." England head to Russia on 12 June and face Tunisia in their opening game on 18 June, followed by matches against Panama and Belgium. 'A meticulous professional' Kane first captained England in last summer's 2-2 World Cup qualifier in Scotland, where he scored a late equaliser, before going on to wear the armband on a further three occasions. Spurs team-mate Eric Dier and Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson have also skippered England recently. Kane, who has scored 12 goals in 23 appearances for his country, was described as a "meticulous professional" by Southgate. "It is a massive day and a very proud day," he said. "It is a dream come true. I found out a few weeks ago when I met Gareth Southgate. We were talking for an hour and he said he wanted me to be the captain. "I have had to keep it quiet for a while now but it is fantastic. I filled up with pride and went home and told my family. "Not much changes, I am someone who wants to lead by example on and off the pitch. That is what I will try to do. "There are some young players in the squad who look up to players like that. There are some older players who I can learn from too." Southgate, who told the England squad during a meeting at St George's Park on Monday night, added: "Harry has some outstanding personal qualities. One of the most important things for a captain is that they set the standard every day. "He has belief and high standards and it is a great message for the team to have a captain who has shown that it is possible to be one of the best in the world over a consistent period of time and that has been his drive. "My feeling is that over the last 18 months in the camps that he's been with us he has shown that he has got the desire to take that into a team environment and he recognises the importance of bringing others with him." England's key World Cup dates 2 June v Nigeria (friendly at Wembley) 7 June v Costa Rica (friendly at Elland Road) 12 June Squad leaves for Russia 18 June v Tunisia (opening group game) 24 June v Panama (second group game) 28 June v Belgium (final group game) Analysis BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty England manager Gareth Southgate was effectively making a choice from two as World Cup captain - Harry Kane or Jordan Henderson. Southgate was clearly comfortable with either Tottenham's striker or Henderson, who has captained Liverpool to Saturday's Champions League Final against Real Madrid in Kiev. In the end, he has gone with 24-year-old Kane and few who have seen him when he has worn the captain's armband for England would argue with the wisdom of that decision.