PAUL SCHOLES reckons the international break “felt like the beginning of the end” for England captain Harry Kane.
The former Tottenham striker, 31, is his country’s all-time leading goalscorer with 69 goals in 103 games.
Kane has also led the Three Lions to consecutive Euros finals.
And he will now be hoping for a starring role under new England boss Thomas Tuchel, who paid £100million to sign Kane for Bayern Munich last year.
However, former interim boss Lee Carsley made a huge call by leaving his skipper out of England’s 3-0 win in Greece last week.
Ollie Watkins was preferred up front, despite the Three Lions needing to win after losing the reverse fixture at Wembley in October.
And although Kane was restored to the XI that beat Ireland 5-0 on Sunday, his absence against Greece made a huge impact.
Indeed, former England and United midfielder Scholes reckons it has signalled the “beginning of the end” of Kane’s international career.
And with the forward turning 32 next summer, his presence on the pitch could begin to wane even further.
Scholes told the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet: “It felt like the end of Harry Kane.
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“The beginning of the end. He looked out of place in the team.
“When you get older you feel like everything happens a bit quicker around you.
“It looked a bit like that. But I don’t know how we’d replace him.”
However, one older player who appeared to benefit from Carsley’s reign was Kyle Walker.
The right-back found himself moved into the middle of defence during the Greece game and for the entirety of the Ireland match.
And ex-England defender Gary Neville reckons Walker could end up thriving in his new role.
Neville added: “You can look at Kyle Walker in the last few weeks and think he looks a bit different than he has done in previous seasons.
“He’s been lightning quick and all of a sudden you think, hang on, there are balls being played inside him.
“Kyle’s saviour could be what he’s done with England in the last few weeks, playing centre-back. He could play on the right side of a three, as an example.”
England's newbies put on a five-star second half performance to hammer ten-man Ireland.
No fewer than four young Lions bagged their first international goal during the 5-0 win.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the England stars at Wembley.
Jordan Pickford: 6
Matched the great Gordon Banks by reaching 73 caps. But the Everton stopper was pretty much a spectator as Ireland showed little ambition in attack.
Tino Livramento: 7
Became the seventh player across Carsley’s three England camps to be handed a debut. It was his cross which caused panic in the Irish defence, allowing Gordon to volley home his first England goal.
Kyle Walker: 6
Played at centre-back in back four for his 93rd cap. Headed an early chance over, had a couple of scares before the break before being withdrawn just after the hour when the game was up for the visitors.
Marc Guehi: 7
Was a little clumsy with a challenge on Evan Ferguson inside the box before the break, but nothing was given. Set up a first England goal for his best mate Gallagher with a flick-on from a corner during the goal blitz at the start of the second half.
Lewis Hall: 7
Admitted to nerves before his debut on Thursday but did not seem to have any here on his first start, playing alongside his Newcastle colleagues Livramento and Gordon. Could this be the start of a long England career for one of our few natural left-backs?
Conor Gallagher: 8
Was given the nod ahead of Angel Gomes for the second successive game and capped it with his first England goal by poking home Guehi’s flick just before the hour. England’s confidence at that point was summed up by Gallagher attempting a rabona.
Curtis Jones: 7
Tidy, if not hitting the heights of his magnificent debut three days earlier. But overall, another success story of the brief Carsley era which has given Thomas Tuchel plenty more options to consider.
Noni Madueke: 7
His final ball was not quite there compared to his man-of-the-match performance in Athens. But the Chelsea man still caused Ireland all manner of problems with the explosive way he runs at opponents.
Jude Bellingham: 9 STAR MAN
Effectively had three assists as he won the penalty for Harry Kane’s opener – which led to Scales being sent off – and teed up goals for subs Bowen and Harwood-Bellis. A brilliant display from the Real Madrid superstar. How lucky we are to have him.
Anthony Gordon: 7
Lovely volley for his first England goal and you could see how much it meant to him with his celebration. Caused Ireland issues with his direct running in a promising display.
Harry Kane: 7
A ponderous first half led to genuine questions over his suitability to this team… but then he showed why he is still the man with a stunning ball to Bellingham in the build-up to the opener.
Stuck away the resulting penalty when Bellingham was tripped for his 69th England goal.
SUBS:
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (on for Walker, 62): 8
Followed up Jones’ feat in Greece of netting on his England debut as he brilliantly headed home Bellingham’s fine cross to make it five.
Morgan Rogers (on for Gordon, 74): 7
Looked confident when coming on and ready to cause more misery against the tired ten men of Ireland. Would have had an assist had Jarrod Bowen put away his cutback.
Dominic Solanke (on for Gallagher, 74): 6
Almost diverted in his first England goal from fellow sub Bowen’s cross but was beaten to it, just, by the defender.
Jarrod Bowen (on for Madueke, 74): 8
Crashed home his first England goal with his first touch, seconds after coming on, to make it 4-0.
Angel Gomes (on for Jones, 79): 6
Tidied up and looked comfortable again in possession. Booked.
