Harry Kane is closing in on another major milestone for England, with legendary goalkeeper Peter Shilton recognising that his long-standing record for the most caps may soon belong to the Three Lions’ captain. With 125 international appearances to his name, Shilton has spoken about why Kane is the ideal successor to that honour and has compared the modern-day goal machine to past icons like Jimmy Greaves and Gary Lineker.

Kane’s England Record: Matches and Goals

Kane made his senior debut for England in 2015, finding the net just 80 seconds after coming on as a substitute in a Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania. Since then, his rise has been relentless, consistently setting new benchmarks for goal scoring excellence.

Wayne Rooney, once the first England player to surpass 50 international goals, has been overtaken as Kane’s tally has reached an impressive 81 goals from 115 appearances. With three figures now within sight, many believe that lifting a major international trophy would seal Kane’s legacy as England’s greatest player of all time.

While such debates often hinge on generational differences, and comparing players across eras is always difficult, England’s history is filled with prolific forwards. Kane is simply the latest in a long line of elite strikers.

How Does Kane Compare with Lineker and Greaves?

When asked if Kane might be the most complete striker among England’s greats, Shilton — speaking for Lynx Fine Fragrance’s ‘The Official Makeup’ campaign — reflected on the contrasting styles of the country’s legendary forwards. “Jimmy Greaves was one of my heroes growing up,” Shilton said. “He was an incredible dribbler, so light on his feet, scoring from anywhere — tap-ins, long-range efforts, after beating defenders. At his best, Jimmy was just unstoppable.”

“Gary Lineker was a different kind of striker,” Shilton continued. “He might not dribble past players like Jimmy, but he was lightning quick and always in the right place at the right time. He was a brilliant finisher — calm and composed. Gary used to tell me that, when he was at Leicester, he was taught to ‘hit the target, keep it low, and add pace if you can’. That simple advice defined his career.”

“Harry’s a bit different — he’s taller, stronger in the air, maybe not as fast as Gary but still quick enough. Against Croatia, he scored from a corner and from outside the box. He’s a natural scorer and more versatile, dangerous from both corners and free-kicks. All three were exceptional in their own ways.”

Kane Poised to Surpass Shilton’s 125 Caps

Kane is now just 10 matches away from equalling Shilton’s record. The former Nottingham Forest and Leicester City goalkeeper earned 125 caps between 1970 and 1990, a record that has stood for decades.

Shilton said he is proud to see Kane closing in on the milestone. Asked if he thought the record would have been broken sooner, given the modern game’s busier international schedule, he replied: “Sometimes I felt players were picking up caps for just a few minutes at the end of games, and I wasn’t sure that was right.”

“But with Harry, that’s not the case. He plays full games, gives 100 per cent, and his record is outstanding. If anyone deserves to break it, it’s him. He’s a striker, which is the toughest position out there – though goalkeeping is a close second! It’s great to see him achieving so much while remaining so professional.”

Kane and England continue their FIFA World Cup campaign on Tuesday when they face Ghana at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough — home of NFL’s New England Patriots. After a 4-2 victory over Croatia, in which Kane scored twice, manager Thomas Tuchel and his side will be eager to maintain their momentum.

‘The Official Makeup’: Shilton Revisits the 1986 World Cup

Decades after being at the centre of one of football’s most controversial moments, Shilton has finally made peace with the past. In collaboration with Lynx Fine Fragrance, he took part in ‘The Official Makeup’ — a symbolic gesture of reconciliation where he shook hands with a mascot representing the infamous 1986 FIFA World Cup incident. The act marked the first time Shilton publicly chose to move beyond the long-standing debate.

The initiative took place at Chelmsford FC’s ground, near Shilton’s hometown. Lynx flew in their Argentinian mascot, featured in the brand’s sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup 2026, to complete the historic event. The final score? Shilton and Lynx 1, old grudges 0.