Football
ESPN staff 8y

Harry Kane: Roy Hodgson thought I was the best at corners in training

England striker Harry Kane has revealed that he was taking corners in the opening game of the European Championship because Roy Hodgson thought he was the best in training.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane offers a regular goal threat in the air for his club side, but he was put on set piece duty for his national team in the build-up to Euro 2016 and against Russia in England's tournament opener.

Hodgson's decision prompted a wave of criticism, but Kane has explained the reasoning behind it -- simply that he was the best at taking corners in training.

"It was something we tried when we first met up for the Turkey game," Kane said. "At the time we had a lot of tall players in the team and they saw the delivery I had and wanted me to put it in the box. We did it then and it stuck.

"There were a few players taking them, we always practise set-pieces. Nothing was really said until immediately before the game when it was up on the board about who was taking what. I was happy to do it. I think it's been blown out of proportion a bit.

"I'll listen to the manager. If he wants me to do something, I'll do it. The manager wanted me to take them so I took them."

Kane was taken off corner kicks in England's second game against Wales and did not start in the final Group B match against Slovakia, but the Spurs No. 9 is in contention to return to the England starting XI for their second round clash with Iceland in Nice on Monday.

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