The BBC presenter and former striker had offered an X-rated appraisal of England’s performance following the draw with Denmark, which Kane objected to.
Gary Lineker has responded to Harry Kane’s reaction to his scathing review of England‘s Euro 2024 performance.
Lineker slammed England‘s performance in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Denmark as “s***” and stated that Kane, who was withdrawn in the second half, “needs to do better”. The former comment was made to Kane during Sunday’s press conference.
“I would never disrespect any ex-player,” Kane said. “All I would say is remember what it’s like to wear the shirt and how their voices are heard. Some of the lads, I’m not sure how many, but we hear it.
“We all want to win a major tournament and 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 would be a much better way of going about it.”
During the BBC’s broadcast of the match, Lineker provided a detailed appraisal of Kane’s performance against Denmark, with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards also contributing their thoughts.
The former Three Lions three participate on The Rest is Football podcast, where Lineker made the expletive remark about England’s performance while discussing with Shearer.
He also claimed that England‘s manager, Gareth Southgate, was “insulting” when he said the country lacked a substitute for Kalvin Phillips.
Lineker and Shearer have now responded to Kane‘s press conference comments in the newest podcast edition, stating they had no issue with Kane’s response but standing by their own.
Lineker remarked, “I get it [the journalist’s remarks to Kane], and it puts Harry on the spot. But I felt he answered it well with one or two things in there, but it’s difficult when you’re thrown that kind of stuff.”
Shearer continued, “We’ve both been there as England captains when you’re sitting in front of the media and England hasn’t played well at all, or you as an individual.
“And I would have answered the question in the same way that England captain Harry did yesterday.” He just stated that they are entitled to their opinion, and I recognise that they, too, have a duty to do – as do we, and we must tell it.”
Lineker replied, “Can you image if we went on to say, ‘Well, I thought they played pretty well’? We’d be lying, for starters, since they didn’t play well, and Harry is aware of this.
“And there’s one line in there – which I understand – where he says, ‘They have obligations as ex-England players, and they should know, they know what it’s like. “It’s not like they’ve won anything,” or something along those lines.
“Fine, and he’s totally correct. But I’ll say one thing: we don’t want to be negative and critical.
“We want the England team to do well on the pitch; the best punditry is when England plays well and we’re pleased and enthused about them, saying ‘this performance was amazing, that performance was great’.
“We do not wish to be critical. But we must be sometimes. We have to say – but we did it in a balanced manner.”
Shearer went on to say, “I have no problem with what he said.” And I would not take back anything we said. They were terrible against Denmark, as I believe the vast majority of journalists, the public, and even the boys in the squad will attest.
“There were few positives at all. But we also emphasised that one spark might easily set them off and start the tournament.
Lineker said, “And you and I both know that there’s no way the players have heard all of our comments, whether on television or here on The Rest Is Football.”
“They won’t know the nuance and the balance, always balanced it by saying they could do better and it’s never personal.”
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