Harry Kane hits back at Gary Lineker's criticism after Denmark draw (2024)

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Harry Kane has hit back at a host of former England internationals who have criticised Gareth Southgate’s side during Euro 2024.

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand are among the ex-players who condemned England’s performance in the 1-1 draw against Denmark on Tuesday in their roles as pundits.

Lineker, in particular, hit the headlines as he branded the performance ‘s***’.

But Kane - who insists he fully fit despite concerns over a back injury he sustained last season - has taken a swipe at those ex-England players by underlining the fact that they, too, never won an international trophy during their careers.

‘I would never want to be disrespectful to any player, especially a player who has worn the shirt and knows what it is like to play for England,’ Kane said.

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‘But what ex-players who are pundits now have got to realise it is very hard not to listen to it now, especially for some players who are not used to it or some players who are new to the environment.

‘I always feel like they have a responsibility – I know they have got to be honest and give their opinion but also they have a responsibility of being an ex-England player.

‘The bottom line is we haven’t won anything as a nation for a long, long time and a lot of these players were part of that as well and they know how tough it is.'

On his fitness, Kane added: ‘From my point of view I am fit. Time will time, if we get knocked out a lot of questions will be asked but from my point of view it is important to go into this knockout stage feeling 100 percent and I feel I am there.’

Meanwhile, Kane has jokingly suggested that the family days at the team’s base in Weimar maybe cut short after a seven hour visit from loved ones on Friday.

The FA will allow families into their hotel the day after matches but Kane said: ‘The hotel is fantastic, full credit to the guys and girls from the FA for putting everything on.

‘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 of the families who hadn’t met or the players to meet other players’ kids.

‘You do miss them during long spells away so it was a fun day – just maybe a bit too long!’

Southgate is expected to make changes to the team that drew against Denmark on Thursday as it emerged Kieran Trippier has been carrying a minor calf issue.

The England boss will be mindful of the problem heading into the game versus Slovenia with any injury to Trippier creating huge defensive issues given Luke Shaw’s current unavailability.

Trippier, who plays at right-back for Newcastle, has played at left-back while Shaw recovers from the hamstring injury that has kept him out for five months.

Sources claim Southgate had hoped to substitute Trippier in one of the first two group games to rest the 33-year-old.

But England’s uninspiring start has meant that Trippier - one of England’s most experienced players - has had 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.

England Football