England captain Harry Kane hits back at criticism from former players, saying: ‘They know how tough it is’

BLANKENHEIM, England – Harry Kane says former England stars should remember how difficult it is to play for their country before criticizing the team’s lackluster performance so far at the 2024 European Championship.

“I always feel they have a responsibility,” the England captain said at the team’s training camp on Sunday. “I know they have to be honest and give their opinion, but they also have the responsibility of being an ex-England player. A lot of players are looking forward to it, that people listen to them and that people care what they say.” say.’

Kane responded to fierce criticism from the likes of former England internationals Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer after England’s 1-0 win over Serbia and 1-1 draw with Denmark. Lineker, who has scored 48 goals in 80 appearances for England, had described the draw against Denmark with an expletive and said Kane “needs to do much better” despite scoring the England opener.

Kane, who scored 36 goals in 32 Bundesliga games for Bayern Munich last season, said he never wants to be “disrespectful to any player, especially a player who has worn the shirt and knows what it is like to play for England play,” but: “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.”

The England men’s team have not won a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.

Despite the criticism, England are top of Group C at the 2024 European Championship, four points ahead of the final group match against Slovenia in Cologne on Tuesday.

“It’s not time to panic,” Kane said.