Harry Kane says former England players should remember their own lack of success with the national team before criticising the current squad.
England’s performance against Denmark on Tuesday was widely panned in the media with ex-England striker Gary Lineker describing it as “s***”, with Alan Shearer and Ian Wright also voicing their displeasure.
England have not won a major trophy since 1966 and Kane feels those who have experienced disappointment with the Three Lions have a responsibility to be more measured.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s game with Slovenia, he said: “I would never want 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 what ex-players or ex-players who are pundits now have got to realise it is very hard not to listen to it now, 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 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.
“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, so it is not digging anyone out.
“It is just the reality that they do know it is tough to play in these major tournaments and tough to play for England.
“I would never disrespect any ex-player. All I would say is remember what it is like to wear the shirt and that their words are listened to. Some of the lads, I don’t know how many, but we do hear it.
“We all want to win a major tournament and I am sure they want us to win a major tournament and being as helpful as they can and building the lads up with confidence would be a much better way of going about it.”
Sights set on Slovenia 💪
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— England (@England) June 23, 2024
England have taken four points from their first two Group C games, a 1-1 draw with Denmark following on from a 1-0 win over Serbia. But the nature of the performances have given little little cause for optimism that the long wait for a trophy will end this summer.
Kane, in particular, has looked laboured and his lack of pressing intensity has been highlighted as a major flaw in Gareth Southgate’s gameplan.
The England captain admitted he had not been at his best and was hopeful of an improvement in Cologne.
“Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion and I know when major tournament football is on it’s always going to be heightened, the performance is going to be scrutinised,” added Bayern Munich striker Kane.
“If I’m honest with myself, have I played the best that I know I can? No.
“But I didn’t score in the group stage at the World Cup, I didn’t score in the group stage at the Euros, so from my point of view it’s a bonus to be one goal ahead.
“I’d always judge myself first and I know I can play better and I know a lot of players in the team think the same – that we can all play a little bit better.
“That’s what I do. I don’t panic. I don’t get too high or too low. I’ll keep doing what I do and just go onto the next one.”
