Harry Kane hits back at Gary Lineker’s criticism of Denmark clash and calls for England’s ex-players turned pundits to ‘remember what it was like to wear the shirt’
- Gary Lineker called England’s performance against Denmark ‘***’
- England received a lot of criticism for their performance on Thursday
- Listen to It all starts! ‘There’s not much certainty he’ll play’ – why did Gareth Southgate pick Luke Shaw?
Harry Kane has hit back at a host of former England internationals who criticized Gareth Southgate’s side during the 2024 European Championship.
Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand are among the former players who condemned England’s performance in the 1-1 draw with Denmark on Tuesday in their role as pundits.
Lineker in particular made headlines when he called the performance ‘s***’.
But Kane – who insists he is fully fit despite concerns over a back injury he suffered last season – has taken a swipe at those ex-England players by highlighting that they too never won an international trophy during their careers.
“I would never want to be disrespectful to any player, especially one who has worn the shirt and knows what it’s like to play for England,” Kane said.
Scroll down for video
Harry Kane has hit back at former England players who criticized England’s performances
Gary Lineker branded England’s performance ‘s***’ after the 1-1 draw with Denmark
“But any ex-players who are experts must now realize that it is very difficult not to listen to it now, especially for some players who are not used to it or some players who are new to the area.
‘I always feel like they have a responsibility. I know they have to be honest and give their opinion, but they also have a responsibility as an ex-England player.
“The bottom line is that as a nation we haven’t won anything in a very long time and a lot of these players were part of that and they know how hard it is.”
On his fitness, Kane added: “From my point of view I am fit. Time will take, if we are knocked out a lot of questions will be asked, but from my point of view it is important to go into this knockout phase with a hundred percent feeling and I feel like I am there.”
Meanwhile, Kane has jokingly suggested that family days at the team base in Weimar might be cut short after a seven-hour visit from loved ones on Friday.
The FA will allow families into their hotel the day after the matches, but Kane said: “The hotel is fantastic, full credit to the guys and girls at the FA who put it all together.
“We had a bit of everything, the golf simulator, the football, bouncy castles, it was just a really good day and a chance for some families who hadn’t met yet or for the players to meet other players’ children.
‘You do miss them when you’re away for a long time, so it was a nice day – maybe just a little too long!’
Southgate is expected to make changes to the team that drew against Denmark on Tuesday as Kieran Trippier emerged as having a minor calf problem.
The England boss will take the issue into account ahead of the match against Slovenia, with any possible injury to Trippier creating huge defensive problems given the current unavailability of Luke Shaw.
Trippier, who plays at right-back for Newcastle, has been playing at left-back as Shaw recovers from the hamstring injury that has kept him out for five months.
Sources claim Southgate had hoped to replace Trippier in one of the first two group games to give the 33-year-old a rest.
But England’s uninspiring start has meant Trippier – one of England’s most experienced players – has been forced to stay on the field.
Ezri Konsa and Joe Gomez will be in line to replace Trippier if Southgate chooses to rotate him on Tuesday.