Harry Kane broke protocol to defend his England team-mates (Image: Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock)
Harry Kane went to extra lengths to protect his team-mates after Gary Lineker's scathing criticism of England's performance. Despite a lacklustre early showing at the Euros, the Three Lions managed to win their group, earning points from three games and conceding just one goal.
But the team's tepid 1-1 stalemate with Denmark prompted Lineker, on The Rest Is Football podcast, to lambast England's efforts as "s***", a sentiment echoed by fellow BBC pundit Alan Shearer.
Kane hit back days later in an ever-so-slightly fiesty press conference, and it's understood the Bayern Munich forward went out of his way to do so.
According to the Independent, Kane deviated from the schedule and what he usually would do by 'putting himself forward' for media duties to directly address the criticisms from Lineker and Shearer.
He'd already completed a press session earlier that week and wasn't expected to do another until next month, but Kane took it upon himself to speak out almost immediately.
"What ex-players have to realise is that it is very hard not to listen to it now, especially for some players who are not used to it or who are new to the environment," Kane declared.
England coach Gareth Southgate is under pressure to make changes (Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
"I always feel like they have a responsibility. I know they have got to be honest and give their opinion but they also have a responsibility as an ex-England player that a lot of players looked up to. People do care about what they say and people do listen to them.
"Everyone has got their opinion but the bottom line is we have not won anything as a nation for a long, long time and a lot of these players were part of that as well, so they know how tough it is. It is not digging anyone out. It is just the reality that they know that it is tough to play in these major tournaments and tough to play for England."
Kane further urged past players to remember their own experiences: "I would never disrespect any player. All I would say is remember what it is like to wear the shirt and that their words are listened to," he added. "You do hear it. We all want to win a major tournament. Being as helpful as they can and building the lads up with confidence would be a much better way of going about it."
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Kane's reaction suggests that external noise is having a significant impact on the England camp, which hasn't always been the case historically. Kane is not the only one in the England camp to address criticism of the team head on and it has become pronounced just how much Southgate and the squad are bringing up the discussion of the team.
Players and coaches are said to have frequently held discussions about the reaction to their performances and it's understood Southgate is willing to make changes to his team. However, he is predicted to make just one alteration to the starting line-up he used against Slovenia for England's last-16 showdown with Slovakia on Sunday, with Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo expected to step in for Conor Gallagher in the heart of midfield.
Mainoo made a strong impression when he was brought on at half-time during Tuesday's game, and while fellow substitutes Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon also shone in their second-half appearances, both are expected to remain on the bench.
Manchester City star Phil Foden flew back to the UK this week for the birth of his child but returned to the England camp on Friday and is tipped to be in Southgate's starting XI. In other news, Luke Shaw is finally available for selection after recovering from a hamstring injury, but it's believed Kieran Trippier will retain his position at left-back for the time being.