Tottenham star came off the bench in win over Tranmere.
Martin Keown has backed Tottenham Hotspur for picking Harry Kane in the squad to take on Tranmere.
Spurs won the FA Cup game 7-0, with Kane coming off the bench to score the seventh.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino defended his decision to bring Kane on, saying he wanted to give opposing fans a rare chance to see an English ‘icon’ in action. (via Football.London)
Pundit Rodney Marsh had branded Spurs ‘classless’ for subbing Kane on when they were 6-0 up.
Keown told The Mail: “I don’t agree with those who think Harry Kane should have been left at home for Tottenham’s trip to Tranmere.
“The fact that Mauricio Pochettino named the Spurs captain among the substitutes showed he is taking the competition seriously.
“The Tottenham manager also sent a message to the rest of the squad that this was not a game to be taken lightly.”
If that was Pochettino’s pre-game intention then it worked, with Spurs racing into a lead.
As much as the manager insists he is not too bothered by the FA Cup in comparison to the Premier League or Champions League, Pochettino still wants to win it, and Kane will play a bigger role as the competition progresses.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
