Keir Starmer gives verdict on explosive Kane vs Lineker row over England performances
Labour leader Keir Starmer has urged fans to "get behind" the England squad amid criticism from veteran players of their recent performances.
Mr Starmer was asked by broadcaster Talk whether he agreed with criticisms made by Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, among others. The pundits were critical of England's underwhelming 1-0 win against Serbia and 1-1 draw against Denmark.
Football icon Mr Lineker previously told the Rest is Football podcast: "I think we have to reflect the mood of the nation. I can’t imagine anyone who is English would have enjoyed that performance because it was lethargic, it was dour. You can think of all sorts of words and expletives if you like, but it was s***.”
A photo of Keir Starmer
A furious Harry Kane hit back and said: "With podcasts and things like that, people are trying to promote their own channels and sometimes the headline, because you want the most views, isn’t always what people want to see. People will do things for their own gain, that’s just life.
“First and foremost, we try to ignore it, but we should try to back the English players as much as possible because we are doing all we can to make everyone, the fans and pundits proud. I know they would love nothing more if we are all celebrating after the Euros.”
Labour leader Mr Starmer agreed and urged the nation to support England despite a less-than-stellar start to the Euros competition.
"I back the England team on this. I think, look, they're in the middle of this competition," Mr Starmer said, "a really important game is coming up. Let's just get behind the team. You know, we've done this before. England.
"We sort of never, I don't think, have a particularly great start to these competitions. But then we click, we pull together. It's a fantastic team and I am going to back them all the way."
A photo of Harry Kane
Mr Starmer, an Arsenal season ticket holder, still plays the game at the age of 61 and regularly takes part in eight-a-side matches in Kentish Town, north London. He has also been the subject of his daughter's jokes when he takes on the role of armchair manager while watching the Gunners.
He has previously thrown his weight behind the Three Lions and will do so again for their last group stage match. England will tonight take on Slovenia, although they have already made it through to the knockout stages.
Gareth Southgate's lads have so far picked up four points from two games and could face any of Austria, Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, Ukraine and the Czech Republic should they win tonight. But, England's path to the final could face a serious test in hosts Germany should they finish as runners-up.
England v Slovenia will kick off at Cologne's RheinEnergieStadion at 8pm tonight (June 25). The match will be broadcast on ITV, ITV4 and can be streamed live on ITVX.