Alex Scott: I’ve watched Harry Kane since I was little - he’s ridiculous up close | OneFootball

Alex Scott is reeling off the experience of playing in the same team as Harry Kane for England, having watched the Three Lions captain since he was a child.

Bournemouth midfielder Scott, 23, made his first England start as Thomas Tuchel’s side demolished a dismal Croatia side 7-0 in the Nations League.

Kane scored twice, including the opener in the eighth minute, while also notching an assist for Bukayo Saka’s second.

And harking back to his childhood admiration of the Bayern Munich marksman, Scott has hailed Kane as even better “up close”.

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Alex Scott impressed for England against Croatia (Reuters)

"H [Kane] is unbelievable,” he told ITV. “I knew he was ridiculous. I've been watching him since I was a little boy, so I knew his level but up close you can really see his level.

“That's why he's being spoken up with Ballon d'Ors and things like that. Jude's [Bellingham] the same and [Anthony] Gordon and Bukayo [Saka]. It's frightening the talent we've got in this squad."

Kane sent the plaudits right back in Scott’s direction, praising him and Elliot Anderson for their constant intensity even when England were out of sight, delighted with the “freedom” his side played with.

He said: “The bottom line is if you lose the ball, we're all smart enough and good enough to cover in midfield or defence.

"That's the way we want to play. For them it was so hard to pick a man and press. Alex [Scott] and Elliot [Anderson] with their movement were outstanding. The centre-backs, the full-backs... every man was at the highest level."

Scott also shared the pitch another player who used to look up to in the thumping win, with 41-year-old veteran Luke Modric standing across from in the Croatia midfield.

On coming up against the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, he said: "It's pretty surreal to be fair. Probably one of my favourite players growing up because I had seen him as a boy.

“One of the best players in the the world on his day. To be on the pitch with him and competing is a great honour and thankfully we got the win today."

England’s final match of the international break will be at home to Czech Republic on 6 October, now in a strong position in their Nations League group.