Harry Kane has silenced critics 'putting the boot in' with captain's performance against Spain, says Ian Wright

Ian Wright believes Harry Kane has firmly silenced his doubters after his instrumental role in England’s Uefa Nations League victory over Spain.

A brace from Raheem Sterling and a fine finish from Marcus Rashford saw Gareth Southgate’s side take a shock 3-0 lead in Seville with Paco Alcacer’s second-half header proving to be little more than consolation for La Roja.

Kane has not scored for his country since scoring a hat-trick against Panama in the group stages of the World Cup but laid on two assists for his teammates on Monday.

And Wright believes the Tottenham striker as sent a clear message to those who have questioned the captain’s recent performances.

“Kane couldn’t have given a better response if he’d sat down and written the script himself,” Wright wrote in his column for The Sun.

“It’s been absolutely remarkable to hear the way some people have been putting the boot in on the England captain of late.

“In Seville we saw exactly why — and exactly why Kane, whether he’s banging in hat-tricks or not, is such a vital player for club and country.

“That first-half performance was one we couldn’t have dared to even dream about. Not against a Spain team under Luis Enrique."

He continued: “The thing Harry’s found since his World Cup hat-trick is that when you’re a top-class goal scorer, it is often all you’re judged on.

"But there’s always been so much more to his game than that.

In Seville we saw exactly what. His work-rate is phenomenal, as club manager Mauricio Pochettino has pointed out plenty of times at Tottenham.”