Take a moment and just imagine how it must feel to be Harry Kane. You continually surpass every expectation levelled at you. You’ve made a name for yourself at an elite level of sport, leaving bigger names and higher paid players in the shade. Self-confidence must seep from his pores.

It all started this season with that delightful reverse pass to Eric Dier against West Ham, a glimpse at the decisive player that lay in there. Down to 10 men at a ground we capitulated at last season, he took responsibility and made something happen. Goals in the Europa League now seem to have been a sign that a goalscorer was emerging, while at the time many wondered if it would translate to ‘proper’ competition. It was easy for some to suggest that he’d been found out after we downed tools against Stoke in November. We all know what’s happened since then.

A match winner against Arsenal, a wrecking ball against Chelsea, he scored within 80 seconds of his international début.

Growing up supporting Ireland, I’ve been thinking there’s an interesting parallel with my favourite (non-Spurs) player in Roy Keane. Not someone blessed with the physical gifts of some of his peers or who had followed the traditional development route, having spent the early part of his career playing in Ireland, he carefully and analytically worked on his game to the point of excellence. Clichés abound about the importance of personality and character in football, but he was a player capable of making those around him better. A tone setter if you will.

Take a moment and just imagine how it must feel to be Harry Kane. You continually surpass every expectation levelled at you. Self-confidence must seep from his pores.

But where Keane always seemed to be driven forward by his anxieties, and ultimately held back by them in later life, Kane is a totally different proposition. His enthusiasm is contagious. Puppy-ish. He seems the kind of bloke who’d see the bright side of everything. Tube is off? Not a problem, sometimes it’s nice to walk. It’s freezing outside? Great, I can wear my new coat. She’s leaving me? That’s fine, more room on the sofa for me.

We’ve seen it first hand at Spurs this season, where his positive energy has radiated throughout the team and the stands, working in tandem with his manager to lift the mood after a traumatic twelve months. Last night, Wembley felt it. Something just as simple as a player warming up punctuated the atmosphere. Anyone who has ever been to an England game will know that’s not an easy thing to do.

It all started this season with that delightful reverse pass to Eric Dier against West Ham, a glimpse at the decisive player that lay in there.

Slowly we’ll have to come to grips with sharing him. He’s no longer just one of our own. Our lad from Chingford who scores all kinds of goals for fun, against all kinds of teams, is now on the verge of genuine super-stardom. A 21 year old who spent time on loan at Millwall and Leyton Orient looks set to claim player of the year and young player of the year awards. And probably the golden boot. A match winner against Arsenal, a wrecking ball against Chelsea, he scored within 80 seconds of his international début. And it doesn’t look like it phases him.

There’s been a lot said about him being an inspiration to other young English players, stuck in the stands or stuck in a seemingly endless cycle of loans around the Football League. But it’s more than that. Without evangelising, he’s an inspiration to anyone doing anything. Find out what you’re good at, what you want to do and attack it ferociously. Don’t place limits and checks on yourself. Take what you have and work at it, become the best. What a time to be alive.