2018 World Cup: Harry Kane named England captain - reaction

Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker have led the congratulations to Harry Kane after the Tottenham striker was named England’s captain for the 2018 Fifa World Cup.

England boss Gareth Southgate confirmed today that Kane would be his skipper for the tournament that starts next month in Russia. Southgate praised Kane for his “personal qualities” and said the 24-year-old was ready to take on the challenge of leading his nation.

After a meeting with the England squad today, Southgate told TheFA.com: “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.

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“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...

“My feeling is that over the last 18 months in the camps... 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.”

Southgate said that Kane was ready to take on the challenge but would need the support of other good leaders around him. “You don’t become a top team by just having a good captain with good values”, he said.

On being named skipper, Kane tweeted that it was a “very proud day”. He said: “It means a lot to me to be named England captain. A massive thanks to family, friends and fans who have supported me through thick and thin.”

Former England strikers Shearer and Lineker, who were also national team captains, congratulated Kane on his appointment. Shearer tweeted: “Congratulations @HKane on being named @England captain for @FIFAWorldCup. No greater honour.”

Lineker added: “Congratulations to @HKane on being named @England captain for the World Cup. A much merited honour. Good luck.”

Reactions on Twitter to Kane being named England skipper:

“A much merited honour”.

“He’s one of our own”.

England’s youngest-ever World Cup captain.

NFL UK congratulate Kane...

...as does his Spurs team-mate Toby Alderweireld.