has dismissed suggestions ‘waved goodbye’ to fans on Saturday and admits it hurt to have to complete a lap of honour in a near empty stadium.
The north Londoners took the lead against Brentford through a stunning strike from the England skipper, who now has 28 goals in an otherwise disappointing season for Spurs, and the home side were unlucky not to go into half-time with a bigger lead after a dominant display.
But they were totally hapless at the back after the restart, with a brace from Bryan Mbeumo turning the match around before Yoane Wissa netted late on to secure a 3-1 victory for the Bees.
Kane only has one year left on his contract and has been heavily linked with a summer exit, with Manchester United reportedly having to bring more firepower to their attack.
The 29-year-old is eager to add some trophies to his countless goalscoring records and many Spurs fans fear they may have seen him play at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the last time – a worry that his sombre waves to the crowd after the game have only heightened.
Asked if Kane was saying goodbye, and might have played his last match for the club, Mason responded emphatically: ‘No, he waves at the crowd every season.
‘I remember sitting here two years ago, and you guys were convinced he was leaving, saying the same thing.
‘It’s the last home game of the season so he wants to show his appreciation to the support he’s received, and we’ve all received this season.’
There were not a whole lot of Tottenham fans left in the stadium for Spurs’ end-of-season awards and lap of honour, with the crowd emptying after Brentford’s third goal amid a chorus of boos and chants of ‘We Want Levy Out’.
Asked if it hurt to have to experience such an empty, joyless lap of appreciation, Mason replied: ‘Of course.
‘It is understandable because of how probably the second two-thirds of the season have gone on and off the pitch but ultimately we know the fans will be there next season.
‘This club will keep moving forward and now is the time where we need to be stronger than ever and believe in what we’re going to do, commit to it and have people that are committed to it. And I always say in football things can change very quickly and the energy can change quickly.’
Kane’s goal saw him claim yet another record, becoming the first player to score in 25 different Premier League matches – eclipsing the previous record of 24 set by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in the 2017-18 season.
There is still potential for Kane’s record to be eclipsed this season, though, with Manchester City frontman Erling Haaland having netted in 23 games – two less than Kane but with three matches still to play.
Kane will have another record in his sights in Spurs’ final game of the season away to Leeds United next Sunday, with the forward capable of becoming the first player ever to score 30 or more goals in two different Premier League campaigns.
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