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Will Lankshear interview: The Harry Kane tag, dealing with pressure, Middlesbrough targets Will Lankshear spoke to Teesside Live at Middlesbrough's open training session Standing in front of new Middlesbrough striker Will Lankshear it’s easy to forget that he is still only 21. He’s stocky and tall - 6ft 2in to be precise. But it’s more than just his imposing figure - that is certain to test the very best Championship defenders this season - that could deceive you of his age. It’s the level of maturity that Lankshear displays when answering questions after Boro’s open training session, that really stands out too. Thoughtful and considered with every answer, he spends a good 15 minutes with journalists discussing his summer move from Tottenham, his Boro expectations and targets, and also the pressure of being a highly-regarded young English forward. The latter has certainly been intense. Eyes have been on Lankshear for a number of years, but his move to Boro has increased talk around the centre-forward, with the ‘next Harry Kane' tag heard often. “It's obviously amazing to be compared to someone like that,” he says with a considered smile. “But I think it's important also not to put too much pressure on young players and comparing them to other players. “Obviously I've still got a long, long way before I get to that level. If I keep progressing and keep going the way I am, then who knows? “I'm so appreciative when people give me such a massive compliment like that. But it's also one of them where you just have to keep yourself grounded. I've not done anything on the same level as what he's done! I've got a long long way to go.” It’s one of many mature answers. Boro have tracked Lankshear for a number of years and while, naturally his talents on the pitch were the main driver of that interest, the strength of character was another major factor behind Boro making him their primary target this summer. The Kane comparisons are not without merit, either. Off the pitch, they’ve followed similar paths until this point. Spent time at Arsenal, switched to Spurs, EFL loans… On the pitch, there’s already a hint of Kane too. His physicality, his desire to drop deep and link play, his movement and deadly finishing in the penalty area. Kane is special; Lankshear looks like he certainly can be. He had one season training with the England captain at Spurs before his move to Bayern Munich, which undoubtedly helped. “He was there in my first year,” Lankshear recalls. “Training with him was really massive. He’s such a top professional and I think you can learn so much without needing to watch training or being a part of training. “I think when you just watch him play now, I think he's actually perfected his game as a striker, it's unbelievable. “When you consider like the amount of factors that he has to do or deal with, and yet he still produces numbers every single year.” Lankshear is a determined individual. One day, he’d love to finish his career being held in such high regard as Kane. But, right now, his focus is on the here and now. It’s on helping Boro win promotion to the Premier League. It’s already been a great start. He settled into the team quickly and marked his debut with a solid performance and a sublime match-winning goal against Wrexham in the cup. He could have joined Boro six months earlier, as per a break clause in his Oxford contract. In another positive mark of his character, he explains it wouldn’t have felt right to leave the Championship strugglers mid-season. The U’s would be relegated from the second tier, but Lankshear emerged with credit after netting 12 goals in a side whose chance-creation levels were only half as good as Boro’s. Has he set himself a goals target this term then? He says: “I think it's dangerous to set a number now. I'll give it my absolute all every game and try to score every game. “The players here are unbelievable - top Championship players. So you know that you're going to get the service. It's just whether you're going to be in the positions to score them. “But also, scoring goals is the hardest thing to do. It's incredibly difficult to score goals, no matter where you are or who you play for. “It will be slightly easier on statistics, but it's never easy to score goals. I just need to keep working hard, keep getting into the right areas and I'm sure they'll come.” Lankshear made it look effortless with his strike against Wrexham. He may not have a specific goals target, but he backs himself nonetheless. On top of that, he’s hopeful to contribute in other ways too. He continues: “I'm confident enough in my ability that I will score goals. I think that's just a part of being a footballer - you want to be responsible. “Hopefully I get more chances, but you never know. The centre-backs might be more locked on to me. But in doing so, that might free up other people to score goals. “There are a lot of factors. I'm confident in myself that I will produce. I'm sure others will be producing too and if I’ve helped, like if it’s off the back of my movement or me taking defenders out of the game, I’ll be happy to contribute in that way too.” Now the preparation is done, it starts for real this afternoon. Lincoln City are the first Championship opponents for Boro. Lankshear is embracing the new start and a place to call home. “I'm really excited,” he concluded. “I think as a young player loans are absolutely fantastic. But now, to be part of something where I'm settled, where this is my home, you have a different sort of look on the club. I really feel part of this club already. I love it and I’m really excited about that.” ------------- Get Teesside Live Premium now for just £1 HERE – exclusive Boro news and features, transfer notebooks, comment and analysis from Eric Paylor, plus an ad-lite experience Join our WhatsApp community to get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. Your information will be hidden, you'll only ever receive messages from the Teesside Live sports team, and you can leave any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'Exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.