Paul Merson aims sneering dig at Harry Kane after poor England display at Euros

Harry Kane rues a missed chance against Slovenia

Paul Merson made a sneering jibe towards Three Lions skipper Harry Kane after England's dull first half against Slovenia.

Gareth Southgate's side have already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition and sit top of Group C. But that has not stopped criticism from being levied at the team after a lethargic draw with Denmark and an unconvincing display in the 1-0 win over Serbia in the opening group stage match.

The days leading up to England's Group C finale have been defined by a back-and-forth between the England camp and the media. Former Three Lions striker Gary Lineker branded the Denmark display as "s***" on his' The Rest is Football' podcast and specifically earmarked Kane as a poor performer, while other pundits have equally not held back in their censure.

Lineker's comments provoked Kane to defend the England team and players, calling on the media to be kinder in their assessment of the team while reminding ex-internationals of their own inability to win a major international tournament with the Three Lions themselves.

And following England's bland and goal-less first-half display against Slovenia, ex-England international Merson decided to take aim at Kane's comments.

Taking to X, the 56-year-old wrote: "Brilliant first half and lots of shots on goal against the best team in Europe…. (Is that okay Harry?)" The Arsenal legend accompanied his tweet with a string of emojis including a thumbs-up, a laughing face, a football and an England flag.

The first half saw England dominate possession but have little to show for it. Bukayo Saka thought he'd put England ahead after a glittering move from Southgate's side but it was disallowed for offside.

Afterwards, England toiled to break down Slovenia's organised and rigid shape and put in a similar performance to that of Denmark, only without an early goal.

Victory for England over Slovenia would ensure top spot in Group C and thus pit them against the third-placed team from groups D, E or F - with potential contenders the Netherlands following their 3-2 defeat to Austria. Meanwhile, England would play Germany should they finish as runners-up in Group C.

An unlikely third-place finish would mean facing Portugal, though such a scenario would require England to lose to Slovenia while Denmark would need to defeat Serbia.

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