Kane craves Euro glory after Robins promotion

Sunday 10 May 2015
Herbie Kane in action against Italy
Herbie Kane is hoping he can add to the joy of seeing his beloved Bristol City promoted by helping England Under-17s to European glory in Bulgaria.

The former Robins academy player is now at Liverpool, where his performances in the Merseyside club’s youth team have earned him a call up to the Young Lions' European Championship squad.

Having defeated Italy 1-0 in their opening game on Thursday, Kane and his team-mates take on Holland on Sunday evening, who drew with 0-0 with Republic of Ireland two days ago.

Holland v Italy

UEFA European U17 Championship
Group D
6pm, Sunday 10 May 2015
Stara Zagora, Beroe, Bulgaria

Knowing that three points could seal a spot in the quarter-finals, Kane is hoping to taste success with the national side on the pitch after feeling the joy of promotion from the Ashton Gate stands.

"It’d be great, especially as my team Bristol City won the league," he told TheFA.com at the team hotel in Pomorie.

"I’ve managed to get to a few games this season, and I went to Wembley when they won the Football League Trophy. That was a great day.

"Every time I’m back in Bristol I go and watch them when I can. And I really like Korey Smith and Luke Freeman as they are technical midfielders and I love the way they play."

Kane is developing a sharp eye for goal this campaign, regularly hitting the net for the Reds’ youth teams.

It was his initial shot from distance, which cannoned off the post before Marcus Edwards was eventually able to convert the rebound, that led to England's winner.

And although he is happy to assist, he admits that he is targeting adding goals to his game at international level.

"I’ve got 15 goals for the U16s and U18s at Liverpool this season. That’s what I want to bring into my game with England – start scoring and assisting more for the team to help us win as I hate losing," he said.

"I was pleased as I’ve been working really hard at Liverpool this season on getting better, so I was really happy to be given the opportunity to play at this tournament.

"It was quite a hard game against Italy as they just kept playing long balls. I do think we needed to be more clinical in their half – take shots and create more chances for ourselves.

"I thought I performed okay, and I was pleased to help with the goal, but I should have had more shots. You always want to score more goals and assist them. I did alright defensively and kept possession well – but we should have shot more."

And ahead of this afternoon’s Dutch test, Kane added: "It’ll be a good game between two technical teams that like to press. I think it will come down to who has the best technical ability to decide it, and I believe that we have good enough players to win it."

England versus Holland is live on Eurosport at 6pm.

Follow @England for all the latest news from the Young Lions camp. 

By Gary Stonehouse Staff Writer in Pomorie, Bulgaria