England captain Harry Kane hits back at former players’ criticism, says ‘they know how tough it is’

By: The Associated Press Posted: 11:44 AM CDT Sunday, Jun. 23, 2024

BLANKENHEIM, England (AP) — Harry Kane says former England stars should remember how hard it is to play for their country before criticizing the team’s lackluster performances so far at Euro 2024.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/06/2024 (834 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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

Kane was responding to strong criticism from former England internationals Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer among others after England’s 1-0 win over Serbia and a 1-1 draw with Denmark. Lineker, who scored 48 goals in 80 games for England, had described the draw against Denmark with an expletive and said Kane “needs to do a lot better” despite scoring England’s opener.

England's Harry Kane smiles during a press conference in Blankenhain, Germany, Sunday, June 23, 2024 ahead of the national team Group C soccer match against Slovenia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Kane, who scored 36 goals in 32 Bundesliga appearances 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,” but, “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.”

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

Despite the criticism, England is top of Group C at Euro 2024 with four points ahead of its final group game against Slovenia in Cologne on Tuesday.

“It’s not a time to panic,” Kane said.