Harry Kane has been performing at a world class level for so long that it can sometimes be easy to forget his rather humble origin story, and his early struggles in the professional game.
The England captain will walk out at Celtic Park tomorrow night as indisputably one of the best strikers on the planet, a status he has enjoyed for the best part of a decade or more now.
Among an embarrassment of attacking riches at Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany’s disposal, it is Kane who will be worrying the Celtic supporters and their manager more than any other.
Brendan Rodgers, like just about anyone else with a mild interest in the sport, has long been an admirer of Kane’s abilities.
But it isn’t just the obvious elite level footballing ability that Kane possesses that has so struck Rodgers, but the mental strength, determination and resilience of the man to overcome those early career setbacks and make the most of himself that marks him out above so many others.
Rodgers says in fact that Kane would have been considered a ‘silver medallist’ when he was coming through the ranks, the sort of player who wasn’t necessarily tipped for the top, and had to fight and scrap their way there.
And if there are any Celtic fans who feel that Kane’s level may have dipped from the summit he reached as he has edged into his thirties, they may be in for a rude awakening tomorrow evening.
“Oh, he's absolutely brilliant,” Rodgers said.
“Obviously, I've known Harry for a long time and come across him many times. Harry's actually one of those ones that until you're stood on the side of the pitch and you face him, you actually only then really, really then see his level.
(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire) “I know as a young player, he came through the system at Tottenham. It wasn't easy for him at the beginning. He had lots of loans getting out to clubs and didn't quite work out. And then he was given the opportunity by Tim Sherwood at Tottenham.
“Tim had belief in him and had worked with him as a young player. Once he got into the team his development just improved from that. And you look at him now, he's a world-class player.
“But he's changed his game a wee bit as well in the last number of years, where he's on the move more, dropping short, you see his passing, you see his abilities. But he's also tough. He's a tough boy as well, Harry.
“I can't speak highly enough of him. I think he was absolutely brilliant at Tottenham, showed the same for England and he’s gone out to Bayern, and you just need to look at his goals record. A fantastic player and a good guy. We know that.
"Harry would tell you himself, he wasn't, what I would say, the gold medallist. And that's normally the players that come through anyway, those silver medallist players, the guys that are having to strive and fight for their careers. And that was Harry, he would tell you himself.
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“But then he found someone who really appreciated him and backed him in Tim. Tim was working in the youth at that time and when Harry had the chance to go out on loan again, he didn't want to go. Tim put him in the team and from that he's never really looked back.
“And then it's all about your attitude, your professionalism, your desire to be the best player you can be. And you see all of that. You see how he's developed, how he's matured, his training, everything.
“I've obviously spoken to boys that work with him with England as well and they speak so highly of him. So, a world-class player and he's doing a brilliant job for his team now.”
That’s not to say that Rodgers has been overemphasising the need for his players to focus their energies on stopping Kane in the build-up to this match, recognising that to become preoccupied with the opposition threat risks dulling their own.
Besides, with Jamal Musiala, Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise likely to be tucked in behind the striker, to home in on Kane may be a losing strategy in a Champions League equivalent of a game of whack-a-mole.
Instead, Rodgers will of course look to limit the space available for the Bayern attackers to operate in as far as is possible, but his philosophy is that attack may be the best form of defence.
“I always think with top players it's difficult,” he said.
“You look tactically to find ways, and that's the beauty of the game. You are trying to nullify their strengths.
“But I sometimes think with the very, very best players you want to deny them space, but they'll always find space. That's my experience of working at a level where world-class players will find the space. I think [Harry]'s one of those.
(Image: Andrew Milligan - PA) “But of course, we have to nullify that threat. They have other quality players too. And then obviously we have to bring our game as well, which I've been really pleased with at this level. We've shown that we can hurt teams at this level.
“We are very excited by it. It’s a great challenge and a great test for us against a top side.
“Bayern Munich are one of the giants of the European game. They really are football royalty in terms of what they've achieved over many, many years at this level.
“So, for us to be in a position where we can challenge them, it's a great marker for us. I know with our game that we can mix up the basics, all our running power and physicality, which is something that we've really improved on at this level.
“When I go back to 23/24, that's been a big part of our learning, bringing the physicality to the game and improving in that aspect.
“I think if we can do that with the energy and the support behind us, then anything is possible in the game.”
