Coming up against Harry Kane in the Championship helped persuade me it was the right time to hang up my boots.
I quickly realised there was something special about the young striker, although it would have been a stretch to predict he’d become the greatest English striker of his generation.
If England win the Euros, I’d be happier for Harry than anyone. To have any chance, we need him on the ball as much as possible, which is why I’m sure he’d love Trent Alexander-Arnold in the team to give him ammunition.
Back to February 2013 and I’m finishing my career with Blackburn when we face Leicester away, including a little-known teenager they had just signed on loan from Tottenham.
We had strapping 6ft 4ins centre-half Scott Dann, who was strong as an ox. He went in early to let Kane know he was there, and Harry just got hold of the ball, bounced off him and spun away.
Harry Kane (pictured) is out to win the Golden Boot at this summer’s European Championship
Kane (centre) has to be on the ball as much as possible during the tournament for England
Kane will be relishing the prospect of playing ahead of playmaker Trent Alexander-Arnold
I thought to myself ‘Whoa, who is this kid?’ Besides scoring, he also did a couple of other little things that stood out as being top level.
I was next to him when he dropped deep, turned and hit a beautiful pinged pass with his laces inside our full-back onto the feet of his winger.
It was done with a calmness and authority that you wouldn’t have expected from a 19-year-old making his way.
Leicester beat Rovers 3-0 and the way Kane and Danny Drinkwater ran rings round me made me realise my career was done. I called it a day at the end of the season.
The total self-belief Kane showed from the start has served him well. He’s obviously had an outstanding career and I sincerely hope this summer is the pinnacle of it by lifting a trophy for England.
It won’t be easy because there are some excellent teams at this tournament in Germany, but Kane gives us a chance.
Even from a young age, Kane (pictured), showed a calmness and authority as he commanded the pitch
Declan Rice and Kane (right) are Southgate’s (centre) most important individuals because they are the hardest to replace
Like Romelu Lukaku, his big frame means he needs to be in top physical condition to be at his most effective.
A successful goalscoring season at Bayern Munich followed by a short break near the end to rest his back puts him in a good place.
From what I’ve seen of Kane in the Bundesliga, he looks as sharp as ever. He’s not a sprinter, but has that burst over 10 yards that all top strikers need.
He’s quicker than he looks and the goal he got against Bosnia was pure striker’s instinct.
I would discount the last game against Iceland because every player had half an eye on the real thing, Sunday evening’s opening group game against Serbia.
Southgate was shrewd in making Kane captain. He has embraced the role and leadership is about being comfortable in your own skin, focusing on the quality of your verbal messages rather than the quantity.
I saw Kieran Trippier describe him as the best skipper he’s played for. Kane doesn’t speak for the sake of it, but when he does everyone listens. It reminds me of how Steven Gerrard was at Liverpool.
Declan Rice and Harry are Southgate’s most important individuals because they are the hardest to replace.
To get the best out of Kane, Alexander-Arnold is important. He is the one player in Southgate’s squad who is confident enough in his ability to take risks with his passing.
Kane (pictured) will agree that the more direct passes he gets into the penalty area, the better
The more possession Kane has, whether in the penalty box or in the No 10 position, the better England will fare.
We don’t want too many square passes which leave him as a spectator. We’d prefer Trent to go ‘bang’ and unlock Kane’s potential in the final third.
I’m sure the skipper would privately agree with that. That kid who gave my team a chasing at the King Power 11 years ago has done well!