Wednesday 27 September 2017 08:06, UK
Mauricio Pochettino has described Harry Kane as the "killer" striker after he scored a perfect hat-trick in Tottenham's 3-0 Champions League thrashing of APOEL Nicosia on Tuesday night.
The England international scored with his left foot, right foot and head to claim his first treble in the Champions League and ninth overall for Spurs, who now occupy a comfortable position in Group H.
Kane has now scored 11 goals in his last seven games for club and country, while his 2017 record shows 34 goals in 30 club appearances.
The 24-year-old becomes the seventh English player to score a Champions League hat-trick after Andy Cole, Mike Newell, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Alan Shearer and Danny Welbeck and his manager was understandably keen to praise him.
"All the strikers that have this type of level they have something special in front of goals. They are killers. Harry has this special skill," said Pochettino.
"He has unbelievable skills in front of goal. He has something special. That is why he is one of the best."
Pochettino had said he was "in love" with Kane after the striker's double in the 3-2 win over West Ham on Saturday and he joked he should be more careful in future.
"Now my wife is so jealous - and his wife too!" added Pochettino. "No, I think it's unbelievable. You know, it's Harry Kane."
Tottenham are now second in Group H, level on six points with leaders Real Madrid, who they now face in back-to-back matches.
First up is a daunting trip to the Santiago Bernabeu but Pochettino is refusing to get carried away by a fixture that is likely to be billed as a contest of Kane against Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Cristiano is fantastic, one of the best," said Pochettino. "Harry is one of the best and will get better because he's so young. I cannot joke about that because both are fantastic.
"Both are the type of players you want in your team, in the same team.
"We are going to play against the best team in the world because I think Real Madrid are the best right now.
All the strikers that have this type of level they have something special in front of goals. They are killers. Harry has this special skill.
"This season they are showing they are the best. You never know. We will be very motivated to play them. We know very well the quality they have.
"It's a big challenge for us to try to see what is our level and if we can compete in this type of level."
Tottenham return to Premier League action at Huddersfield on Saturday, live on Sky Sports. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League at 11:30am.
