DANNY MURPHY: Why I’m backing Harry Kane to break Peter Shilton’s record for most England appearances as the Three Lions striker prepares for his 100th international match

Harry Kane plays his 100th international match for England this week and he looks much better than he did at the European Championship.

Part of that is down to improved physical wellbeing, but much is also due to Lee Carsley, who devised a system in Dublin that brought out the best in our top scorer.

You know the old saying that simplicity is genius? That was true last night from a football perspective.

If this was the beginning of Carsley’s audition for a full-time job, he did himself no harm.

After the troubles in England last summer I found it refreshing to see round pegs in round holes.

Harry Kane will win his 100th cap for England this week and look much better than he did at the European Championship.

Much credit goes to Lee Carsley, who devised a system in Dublin that brought out the best in their top scorer

It is highly likely that Kane will surpass Peter Shilton’s record of 125 caps for England

We had a left-footer, Levi Colwill, at left-back, which gave the team balance. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold played in his club position.

Declan Rice was given the chance to push on, just as he does at Arsenal.

Above all, Kane had players next to him, namely Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon, who were prepared to run after him quickly and press like devils, especially Gordon.

If you’re going to build the attack around Kane — which you should because he’s our best striker — then the attacking line has to suit him.

To play to his strengths he needs natural wingers and other players closer to him, and we saw Rice in particular come up and even outpace him.

There was no sign of this during the European Championship.

Admittedly, Kane didn’t score against Ireland, but it was a more convincing and positive performance across the board. He could have scored but for a brilliant save from keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

The experiment of squeezing a star player out of his position must not be repeated.

Chelsea’s left-footed defender Levi Colwill played at left back, which gave the team an even playing field

Declan Rice was allowed to push forward as he does at Arsenal and was one of the team’s standouts

Kane had players on either side of him, such as Bukayo Saka, who were prepared to run after him

Kane could have scored if not for a brilliant save from goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher

If Phil Foden is available, consider him as a No 10, which suits him best, not wide on the left. And if that means Jude Bellingham has to drop deeper, so be it.

It’s not always easy to keep things simple, especially in England where everyone has their own opinion on how to play, so Carsley deserves all the credit.

The runs down the left flank we saw from Gordon should have been used long ago.

The main thing is that when Kane plays he has to be the focal point. Against Ireland he looked more like the England captain we know. It helped that players ran past him when he came on.

If he is fit and sharp, you always choose Kane because he is our best goalscorer, even if that means other big names are not there.

Carsley probably saw Kane isolated at the Euros. We saw Jack Grealish, Kobbie Mainoo and Rice in particular, who made sure the distance between them and Kane wasn’t too big this time.

The midfielders were given the chance to press and support, knowing that the full-backs, particularly Alexander-Arnold, could occasionally cover, something he is used to doing at Liverpool.

Ireland weren’t the strongest opponents but I think Kane will benefit enormously from Carsley’s philosophy, which is to give his players the freedom to do what they do best. It was simple but not rigid.

If Phil Foden is available, Carsley could consider him as a number 10, which suits him best, not wide on the left

Kane admitted on Friday that he was underperforming at the Euros. He also cited Cristiano Ronaldo as an example of why, at 31, he should be years ahead at the top. I think it is highly likely that Peter Shilton’s record of 125 caps for England will be surpassed one day.

We don’t have strikers — not even Ollie Watkins — with Kane’s ability. Even when he was far from his best, Kane shared the Golden Boot at the European Championships.

I think Carsley’s changes point to more success for the Bayern man. For that reason alone, the interim has made his case permanent.