England captain Harry Kane responded strongly to criticism from former England national team players, including Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, regarding England’s performance in Euro 2024 so far. Kane addressed the criticism during a training camp, acknowledging the responsibility former players have when commenting on current team performances.
Harsh criticism
“I always feel they have a responsibility. I know they have to be honest and express their opinions, but they also have another responsibility, being former English players. Many players respect them, people listen to them and care about what they say,” Kane stated.
The criticism arose following England’s 1-0 win over Serbia and a 1-1 draw against Denmark in their Euro 2024 Group C matches. Lineker, known for his 48 goals in 80 appearances for England, expressed frustration, urging Kane to improve despite scoring in the tournament.
Harry Kane Responds to Criticism from Former England Stars
Kane, who had a prolific season with Bayern Munich scoring 36 goals in 32 Bundesliga matches, clarified his intent was never to disrespect former players who understand the challenges of representing England.
“The bottom line is that we haven’t won anything as a nation for a very long time, and many of these players have been part of that too. They know how difficult it is,” Kane added.
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Despite the critique, England leads Group C by 4 points ahead of their final group stage match against Slovenia in Cologne next Tuesday. Kane emphasized the team’s focus amidst scrutiny, concluding, “This is not the time to panic.”
Kane’s response highlights his respect for former players’ perspectives while asserting confidence in England’s ongoing Euro 2024 campaign.
