Wayne Rooney gives valuable advice to Harry Kane ahead of debut start for England

Wayne Rooney has come out to give some valuable tips to Harry Kane ahead of the Tottenham striker's first start in an England shirt.

The striker has been in stupendous form this season, scoring goals for fun and has been earmarked to take the PFA Player of the Year award for his all round performances. The England international came off the blocks to score his debut goal for England against Lithuania within less than two minutes from coming on and the hysteria surrounding his first start has been nerve wrenching since then.

The Three Lions will face a much sterner test against Italy when they take on the 2006 World Champions in a friendly after strolling past Lithuania with a 4-0 win. The Italians are known for their stoic defending and it will be a massive test for Kane, who has been doing this day in and day out against the best defenders in the Premier League.

However, the pressure around this game will be much bigger given the height of expectations vested on his shoulders by his countrymen, who expect Kane to be the shining light for their success in the European Championships next year. Rooney, who is all too wise with the amount of expectations that surrounds an England international, has given Kane some valuable tips on how to handle the pressure and keep delivering at his level best.

"Italian defenders are clever defenders. They do anything to try and stop you and you have to be aware of that and not be frustrated," the Manchester United striker said.

"It's a passionate country which loves its football. They are probably the closest in Europe to South American teams.

"They're tough to play against, organised, make it as difficult to play against as possible. They're the best in Europe at doing that.

"At the minute, what Harry is doing he must continue doing. He's taking the ball and running at defenders, getting shots at goal.

"That's all he has to do. I'm sure if he does that the way he has been, he'll be fine," he concluded.