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Declan Rice has explained that Tottenham striker Harry Kane is a “real leader” within the England camp and detailed the role he recently played in the win against Republic or Ireland.

Gareth Southgate’s England side beat Ireland 3-0 in an international friendly, which was preparation for two crucial Nations League fixtures coming up in the next few days.

Three Lions captain Kane was rested for the recent Ireland fixture on Thursday night, but it’s been revealed that behind the scenes he still played an important role.

Southgate named a fairly inexperienced young XI at Wembley Stadium and West Ham midfielder Rice has claimed his England teammate Kane was a big figure in the dressing room pre-match holding individual discussions with players.

“You feel his presence all the time. I think if you look at the other night he wasn’t involved against Ireland. But beforehand he’s in the changing room, he’s getting everyone ready for the game, he’s taking to the lads going round individually,” Rice said, as quoted by England’s official Youtube account.

“He might not be the loudest on the pitch, but the way he takes the ball under pressure and the way he gets defences scared. To me, he’s a real, real leader.”

TBR’s View:

Kane is the talisman for England in terms of what he gives them on the pitch with his goals, but it’s great to hear that in the changing room he’s a real influence on others and he’s definitely someone that the emerging younger players can look at as a role model.

The 27-year-old has moulded himself into one of the world’s very best centre-forwards through hard work and his quality will rub off on others in the England camp.

There are some strong senior figures with the likes of Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson and Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, plus it seems like Kane is another always offering out advice.