Harry hails England's united front

Kane insists club rivalries cast aside even as silverware battle intensifies

LONDON - England captain Harry Kane insists the Three Lions' squad is too united to be divided by the tension of club rivalries surrounding the Premier League title race and upcoming Champions League ties.

Four English sides have reached the last eight of the Champions League for the first time in a decade, with Tottenham striker Kane set to face a host of international teammates who play for Manchester City three times next month in two legs of a quarterfinal and a vital Premier League match.

City and Liverpool are vying for the Premier League title, while Spurs face competition from Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea for a top-four finish.

However, unlike England camps of old, where club rivalries led to factions forming on international duty, Kane believes Gareth Southgate's squad will not be distracted ahead of Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic on Friday and away to Montenegro on Monday.

"We put that to one side, even the Liverpool and City boys," Kane said on Tuesday.

"When we are here it is 100 percent England and when we go back I'm sure there will plenty of text messages and group messages flying about.

"We've got a great bond here and at the end of the day we are good friends. Whether we play for one club or another, when we come here we get on very well.

"Of course, when we are back at our clubs, we try 110 percent to try to beat each other but we have that respect for each other that we can talk afterwards and be friends."

After a run to the last four of the World Cup last summer and qualifying for the Nations League semifinals to come in June, England is one of the favorites to capture the European championship next year.

Wembley will host the semifinals and final of that tournament, while England will also play its group games on home soil should it qualify.

Kane said that's extra motivation as the qualifying campaign gets underway on Friday.

"It is a great incentive to have the opportunity to play in a European championship where we could have quite a few games at Wembley," he added.

"It is exciting. People expect us to qualify and they think it is going to be an easy group, but it is never that easy.

"We have to go and be professional. Of course we back ourselves to go through but we still have to go and do it.

"It is important we start well and hopefully build on that."

At 25, Kane is one of the senior members of Southgate's squad, while Declan Rice and Callum Hudson-Odoi have received their first call-ups to add to a growing pool of young talent.

West Ham midfielder Rice has switched his allegiance to the country of his birth after playing three times for the Republic of Ireland in friendlies.

Kane also had the chance to represent Ireland via his paternal grandparents, but said he never considered anything other than playing for England.

However, he believes no one can blame the 20-year-old for his decision.

"I'm sure it was a tough decision for Declan," said Kane. "He seems like a great lad who is enjoying his football, and he's been having a great season.

"I'm sure he took his time and the decision he made is what he thought will be best for his future and nobody can blame him for that."

Agence France-Presse