Tottenham Youngster Aspiring To Emulate Record-Equalling Striker

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Harry Kane has his eye on emulating the prolific career of Jermain Defoe as the the England striker targets setting a new European record for the club.

The former West Ham United striker moved level with Martin Chilvers as the club's all-time leading goal scorer in Europe with his 75<sup>th minute effort against Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova a fortnight ago and a goal against the same opponent on Thursday evening will see him claim the title as his own.

And Kane, who is competing with Defoe and Roberto Soldado for a starting berth at the forefront of Andre Villas-Boas' attack, sees the England international as the ideal candidate to emulate as he bids to make his mark on the first team.

"It's only helped me (playing with Defoe)," Kane told a press conference.

"I've been here for a while now whilst Jermain has been here. I've just learnt from him. He's a natural goal-scorer and he loves to score goals.

"As a fellow striker, you try to emulate that. That's what my game is about - scoring goals. Hopefully if I can get as many as Jermain, it won't be a bad career.

"He's looking forward to it (Tottenham's tie against Sheriff at White Hart Lane) and breaking the record. Jermain is a great striker and he loves to score goals so I'm sure he'll be itching to break the record and go down in history."

Despite spending in the excess of £100m during the summer transfer window, perhaps the club's stand out performer of the season is home-grown winger Andros Townsend.

After a string on loan moves across the country, the 22-year-old has been rewarded with a key role in Tottenham's attack, and Kane is looking to follow a similar path over the course of the season.

"It's all about taking your chance," Kane continued. "Andros has taken his chance this year, he's been excellent. It's great to see because you will feel like you've got a chance yourself."

Tottenham have so far taken a total of nine points from nine in the Europa League so far and Kane believes the club's exploits in the competition so far represent their determination to lift the trophy in May.

"All the players want to win trophies. Europa League is a great competition. It's a chance to win silverware and that's what everyone at this club wants to do.

"Obviously Andre Villas-Boas has made it clear that he wants to win it so the players will be trying to do that."