Tottenham and England star Harry Kane says he hopes he never has to apologise for diving, after responding to accusations over recent penalty appeals during games against Newcastle and Arsenal.
The 26-year-old went down in the box under challenges from Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles and Arsenal's Sokratis, with appeals for a penalty being waved away on both occasions.
But the Spurs striker, who won a penalty in England's 4-0 win against Bulgaria as he netted a hat-trick at Wembley, insists that he has never dived as he spoke out on the recent incidents.
“I have never felt I should apologise for diving - and hopefully I don’t have to," he told reporters after England's latest win.
“I said after the [Arsenal] game it was a 50-50 challenge. The week before against Newcastle we were denied a clear penalty. The year before against Arsenal we had a penalty from a similar challenge given against us.
“It happens in football. I am someone who uses his body well, which as a striker you have to do. On the half-way line it’s a free kick every day of the week.
“In the penalty box you don’t always get it. People’s opinions are their opinions. I wasn’t concentrating on that sort of stuff. For me, it’s about doing my best on the pitch and the most important thing is winning games.”
Kane, who has been described by former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara as the "best number nine in the world" after his latest display for the Three Lions, will be hoping to add to his tally of 25 goals in 40 games for England when Gareth Southgate's men take on Kosovo tomorrow (Tuesday).
