Dier on Kane: “I’m sure he’ll now want 200 more!”
Fri 06 November 2020, 17:30|
Tottenham Hotspur
16 August, 2014. A date that will live with Eric Dier forever. His Spurs debut, Mauricio Pochettino’s first game, West Ham away, and a winner in the last minute in front of our ecstatic fans in the away end at Upton Park.
Provider of the defence-splitting pass that day and first to celebrate with Eric was a 21-year-old substitute wearing number 18, by the name of Harry Kane. Making his 27th appearance for us, Harry had five Spurs goals under his belt. That would soon become six as the pair started our 2014/15 Europa League campaign five days later at AEL Limassol in Cyprus.
Of course, that goal at AEL soon became 10, then 20, and eventually 31 for the season for Harry, including 20 in the Premier League. They both started the League Cup Final, and became key members of the squad, Eric with 36 appearances, Harry with 51.
Fast-forward six years, and Harry is now one of only three players to score 200-plus goals for the Club, his opener in the 3-1 win against Ludogorets in Bulgaria notching up his double century. It was also Harry’s 300th appearance, while Eric has now reached 249. Both have captained Spurs and England, both helped take England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, where Harry won the Golden Boot, adding to his Premier League Golden Boots in 2015/16 and 2016/17.
It’s been quite a journey from that day at Upton Park...
“West Ham, that was a long time ago!” responded Eric after being reminded that Harry provided that assist. Did he sense Harry was destined for such great things? “In football, you can never foresee what is going to happen, because things change so quickly in both directions, good and bad.
“Anyone in football recognises that and we have to remember it all the time, to enjoy the moments we do have because things change all the time, so you can never envisage what is going to happen.
“I just know from that point, and I’m sure before that, before I knew Harry and now since we’ve spent these six years together, he’s always showed an incredible work ethic, and that’s the most important thing, to be able to put yourself in a position to be successful.”
It’s a fantastic achievement and, to me, what stands out is his consistency, not only in the amount of goals he’s scored, but in his performances
What did Eric put it all down to? “It’s a fantastic achievement and, to me, what stands out is his consistency, not only in the amount of goals he’s scored, but in his performances, too. I’m sure he’ll now be focussed on getting 200 more!
“His qualities as well... for me, he’s an all-round striker, his hold up play is fantastic, he can finish with both feet, his head, brings other players into the game as well, he has all of the qualities which make him an all-round striker and that’s why he’s so good, but it’s the consistency in which he shows those qualities that makes him so good, and the work he puts in. He’s very focussed and extremely driven to always be successful.”
Eric has been around for 195 of Harry’s 200 goals - did he have a favourite?
“For some reason, the goals I always go to are two goals against Arsenal,” he added. “The goal from the corner of the box, the shot (March, 2016), and the header back across goal (February, 2015). Those two, for some reason, they’ve stuck with me. Two great goals...”
