Harry Kane has responded to Gary Lineker’s criticism of England’s participation in Euro 2024, saying former international players have a “responsibility” to consider the impact of their comments.
England came under scrutiny following their 1-1 draw with Denmark in their second Euro 2024 group stage match, with former striker Lineker describing the game as “terrible”.
Kane said that while he understood pundits had a duty to tell the truth, he added that former players should be aware of the challenges of representing England given their historic and sustained failure at major tournaments.
Asked about Lineker’s comments, Kane replied: “Former players have to realize that it’s hard not to hear it now, especially for some players who are not used to it or are new to the environment.
“I always feel they have a responsibility. I know they have to be honest and give their opinion but as a former England player that a lot of players respect, they also have a responsibility. People do care about what they say and people do listen to them.
“Everyone has their opinion but the bottom line is we haven’t won anything as a country for a long time and a lot of players have been involved so they know how tough it is.
“It’s not poaching anyone. It’s reality and they know it’s tough to play in these big tournaments and it’s tough to play for England.
“I will never disrespect any player. All I want to say is remember what it feels like to put on this jersey and that their words will be heard. You do hear them.
“We all want to win an important game. Helping as much as possible and giving the lads confidence would be a better approach.
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Lineker, 63, played 80 times for England between 1984 and 1992, scoring 48 goals. finals.
After England’s draw with Denmark, Lineker told the The Rest Is Football podcast: “I think we have to reflect the mood of the country. I can’t imagine any Englishman enjoying that performance because it was so giddy. Sleepy, gloomy. You can come up with all kinds of words and curse words if you want, but that’s too bad.”
Kane scored his first goal at the Euros against Denmark but admitted his individual performances in the first two games had been below par.
“I try to stay away from it (seeing and reading media criticism) as much as possible,” he added. “I think it’s almost impossible to see something on a different platform now.
“As a player, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I know when the big football tournaments start the games are always more intense and performances are scrutinized. If I’m honest with myself…did I perform my best? Best known? No.
“But I didn’t score in the World Cup group stage and I didn’t score in the European Cup group stage. So from my point of view, being one goal ahead is a reward. I always judge myself first and I know I Can play better, I know a lot of the guys on the team feel the same way – we can all play a little bit better. I don’t panic. I don’t get too high or too low. Will keep doing what I’m doing and then move on to the next thing.
Kane expects England to improve at Euro 2024 (Stefan Matzke – sampics/Corbis via Getty Images)
Kane was substituted in the second half of England’s draw with Denmark and has missed Germany’s domestic season with a back injury.
Despite concerns over the 30-year-old’s fitness, he insists he is feeling fresh and has no injury concerns.
“I think the preparation before the game is good for me personally,” Kane said. “Even for the championship game, the first game, I felt as fit as I have all season. Of course, I know I failed in the second game, but it depends on the manager who wants to see (something) different. Something, perhaps especially to freshen up the frontcourt players.
“From my perspective, I’m healthy, getting better and better every game and getting healthier. I’ve talked about the same thing in previous tournaments, about trying to make sure you’re in the tournament Peak performance in the most important part, the knockout round.
“As always, time will tell. If we get knocked out then a lot of questions will be raised, but from my perspective I think going into the knockout stages (which is important) you feel 100 per cent and I feel like I’m in There.
Gareth Southgate’s side are preparing for their final Group C match against Slovenia on Tuesday and currently sit top of the table with four points.
After the draw with Denmark, Southgate said England’s “physical level” was not suitable for pressing upfield.
Kane said England’s difficulties with pressing man-marking came from playing with a back three against Serbia and Denmark. Slovenia have fielded a back four in their first two group games and the England captain said he hoped for a more dynamic performance.
“I think both games against a back three gave us some confusion on the pitch,” he said. “We were ready before the game. But I just think there were some things where we couldn’t quite get the pressure we wanted and we weren’t 100 percent sure when we were going to go, which was difficult.
“I didn’t think we had the ball very well and it made us feel like we were just running and running. So it was hard to turn that momentum around. I think in the next game, I think because of the different formation, it It’s going to be a different threat… it’s more likely to be different than Slovenia. Hopefully we can show more energy and enthusiasm, especially without the ball, and I think that will also help us with the ball. help.
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What we learned from Kane’s stellar performance
Harry Kane walked into the England media room at Blankenhayn Castle, won a darts match, sat down to answer questions, took a swig of water and then left.
But the period in between, when the England captain spent 40 minutes breaking the record from a camp perspective, was unusually illuminating.
The decision on Sunday morning for Kane to speak at a public press conference is part of the Football Association’s wider strategy regarding which voices are heard when, and one he was more than happy to accept.
Competitor Analyze what he said and its meaning
critics of england
“The bottom line is we haven’t won anything as a country for a long time and a lot of these players have been part of that. They know how tough it is,” Kane said of Lineker Er said while laughing.
Lineker was not the only pundit to criticize England’s performance against Denmark, but as the face of NBC’s football coverage, his words carry more meaning than most.
Kane, while remaining respectful and issuing multiple warnings, clearly wants to stick around and support the team after the negative impact it receives.
own fitness
“I feel as fit as I have all season. I know I was knocked out in the second game, but it’s up to the manager to see something different and freshen up the frontcourt. Going into the knockout stages, It’s important to be 100 percent and I feel like I’m there.
Kane quickly dismissed the idea that he was not yet fully fit, having missed Bayern Munich’s final game of the season with a back injury.
He has struggled in England’s first two games at Euro 2024 but has sought to reassure supporters there is no need to worry about his fitness levels.
Kane withdraws against Denmark (Ralph Ibing – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
The tactical struggle of the opening game
“I just think both games against three backs gave us some chaos on the pitch. We were ready before the game. But I just think there were some things where we couldn’t quite get what we wanted. There’s pressure, and we’re not 100% sure when to leave, which is difficult.
After the game against Denmark, Kane said the players didn’t know when to press. This is a shocking revelation. Now he’s added more context to that assessment, noting how the back three’s confrontation disrupted the forward line’s triggering. A possible back four against Slovenia should alleviate this problem.
Keep “calm” and move on
“I thought we were clinical. A lot of us have been here and done that and we gave England fans some good times. I know 99 per cent (fans) are fully behind us. Then after the game you can Judge us now.
Kane used the word “calm down” three times in his multiple responses at the press conference.
The message from England after the Denmark game was that, despite a monotonous performance, they were staying relaxed – or trying to stay relaxed. Kane reiterated that message on Sunday, urging supporters to reserve final judgment until the end of the Three Lions’ championship.
(Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
