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’

Harry Kane has fired back at Gary Lineker and other former England players who have criticised their underwhelming start to Euro 2024.

The Three Lions laboured to a 1-0 win over Serbia before being outplayed by Denmark for large parts in an uninspiring 1-1 draw.  

The performances have not sat well with fans or pundits and Gareth Southgate and the players have been under intense scrutiny ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Slovenia.

Match of the Day host Lineker labelled the performance during the 1-1 draw with Denmark as ’s***’ when he spoke on his own podcast this week.

Lineker and BBC colleague Alan Shearer have been among a host of former internationals to take aim for the players and the manager.

And England captain Kane responded during a press conference on Sunday. 

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

‘I think maybe what ex players and ex players who are pundits now have got to realise is that it’s very hard not to listen to it, 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’ve got to be honest and give their opinion but also there’s a responsibility of being an ex England player that a lot of players look up to.

Gary Lineker labelled England’s performance ‘s***’ after their 1-1 draw with Denmark 

‘People do care about what they say and do listen to them. Like I touched on, everyone has their opinion, and 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.

‘It’s not digging anyone out but it’s just the reality that they do know that it’s tough to play in these major tournaments and tough to play for England.

‘I’d never disrespect any ex player but all I’d say is just remember what it was like to wear the shirt and that their words are listened to. 

‘Some of the lads, I don’t know how many of the lads, you do hear it and we all want to win a major tournament.

‘I’m sure they want us to win a major tournament and being as helpful as they can and building the lads up with confidence is a much better way of going about it.’