Harry Kane was substituted during England’s second game against Denmark (Picture: Getty)
Harry Kane moved to allay fears over his fitness at Euro 2024 before suggesting that Gary Lineker’s comments after England’s draw with Denmark were unhelpful.
Kane opened his account for the tournament against Denmark but was withdrawn in the second half as Gareth Southgate’s side slumped to a 1-1 draw in Frankfurt.
It was a particularly leggy display from the England captain who arrives in Germany after a long campaign with Bayern Munich that culminated in a back injury towards the end of the season.
However, the 30-year-old brushed aside concerns over his fitness as England prepare for their final group-stage fixture against Slovenia on Tuesday.
‘The preparation leading into the tournament was pretty good for me personally and even the first game of the tournament I felt as fit as I have all season,’ Kane said in a press conference on Sunday.
‘I came off in the second game but that was the manager wanting to see something different and freshen things up with the front players.
‘I’m fit and getting better with each game and it’s about trying to make sure you’re coming into your peak at the most important time of the tournament.’
Kane responded to Gary Lineker’s comments on England’s display (Picture: Getty)
England and Kane’s display came under fire from plenty of pundits, perhaps most notably Gary Lineker who was highly critical of Kane’s efforts shortly after the game.
The BBC presenter doubled down on his critique of England’s display, describing it as s*** on his podcast, but Kane suggested such comments were not helpful, particularly for the side’s younger players.
‘I’d never want to be disrespectful to any player, especially a player that’s worn the shirt and knows what it’s like to play for England,’ Kane replied.
‘What maybe ex-players, ex-players who are pundits now have got to realise, it’s very hard not to listen to it now, especially for young players who are not used to it or some players are new to the environment.
‘I always feel like they have a responsibility, I know they’ve got to be honest and have their opinion but they have a responsibility as an ex-England player that a lot of players looked up to, people do care about what they say and do listen to them.
Gary Lineker has been fiercely critical of England’s Euro 2024 performances (Picture: Getty)
‘Everyone has got their opinion, 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, and they know how tough it is.
‘It’s not digging anyone out, but it’s just the reality that they do know it’s tough to play in these major tournaments and tough to play for England. I’d never disrespect any ex-player. All I would say is, remember what it was like to wear this shirt and that their words are listened to.
‘Some of the lads, I don’t know how many of the lads, you do hear it, we all want to win a major tournament, I’m sure they want us to win a major tournament. And yeah, being as helpful as they can, building the lads up with confidence would be a much better way of going about it.’
Kane admitted he had to improve his performance levels at Euro 2024 (Picture: Getty)
Of his own performances, Kane admitted that he hadn’t hit his usual heights so far but said he wasn’t getting concerned so early in the tournament.
‘Everyone’s entitled to their opinions and when a major tournament going on that’s going to be heightened and every performance is going to be scrutinised,’ he added.
‘If I’m honest with myself, have I played the best I know I can? No. But I didn’t score in the group stage of the World Cup or last Euros so it’s a bonus to be one goal ahead.”
‘I know I can play better but I don’t panic – I don’t get too high or too low – and just go onto the next one.’
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