‘One of their own?’ – Sherwood has brutal dig at Tottenham fans over Harry Kane

Tue 20 March 2018 18:04, UK

By Richard Parks

Tim Sherwood has criticised Tottenham fans who hail Harry Kane as “one of their own” after pointing out how they didn’t rate him when the striker burst on the scene.

Kane, 24, is adored by the White Hart Lane faithful not only for his stunning goal exploits but also for his links to the club that he joined as an 11-year-old.

But the Spurs talisman struggled to make the breakthrough and had mediocre spells at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City before Sherwood handed him his debut for the north Londoners.

The former Tottenham manager is “proud” of laying the path for Kane but he still scoffs at the notion that the player’s breakthrough was inevitable.

“Every loan I sent him out on, not one manager told me he would make a Premier League player,” Sherwood said in an interview with Sky Sports, as quoted by their website. “He struggled to convince the Tottenham fans at first. One of their own? It makes me laugh every time I hear it.

“They wanted the big name ending in ‘o’ to come into the team before Harry. I am not having that it was a golden generation. They just needed a chance.”

Football Insider verdict:

Sherwood is nothing if not frank, and his dig at the Spurs fans is hardly likely to endear him more to a supporter base who regard him as a self-publicist lacking in discretion and tact. Nevertheless, Sherwood knows his onions and he made a huge impact not only on Kane’s career but also in developing the Spurs youth team stars when he was in charge of their Under-23s. It is no coincidence that the pathway from academy to first team is not as clear as it was at the club when the former midfielder was running the show. His connections, knowledge and coaching acumen made him a valuable asset, and Tottenham could do far worse than have him back.