Axed England star sends message to Three Lions after woeful Denmark draw

Jordan Henderson didn’t make England’s Euros squad (Photo: Getty)

Jordan Henderson has hit back at England’s critics after the dismal draw with Denmark at Euro 2024, in a message of support for his former teammates.

The Three Lions’ Euros campaign hasn’t been going to plan at all with the underwhelming 1-0 win over Serbia followed up by a lacklustre 1-1 draw with the Danes on Thursday.

Harry Kane opened the scoring after 18 minutes but a stunning strike from Morten Hjulmand brought the game level, with Gareth Southgate’s team clueless in attack and muddled in midfield.

The post-match analysis was brutal, with only one or two players safe from the wrath of pundits and fans, the likes of Kane, Declan Rice, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden and of course Southgate coming under fire.

Though it has been acknowledged that performances haven’t been good enough, several stars have tried to alleviate the situation and remind supporters that they still have four points from two games.

England are top of Group C and will likely qualify as group winners if they avoid defeat to Slovenia next Tuesday.

‘We take away the point and we are top of the group – I cannot stand here saying it was a fantastic performance,’ right-back Kyle Walker told BBC Radio 5 Live post-match.

Kyle Walker replaced Henderson as England vice-captain (Photo: Getty)

‘Collectively we need to know when to go or when not to go. We have to go as a full team and that is something we need to practice because you come to the knockout stages and slight things like that can cost you.

‘Our build-up play can be better. And making sure the second ball is our ball. Each individual player is representing their country so they are going to give their blood, sweat and tears and we are doing the exact same.

‘I think it’s tournament football. This is a good Denmark team. We’re top of the group so let’s try to take a positive from this game.

Gareth Southgate is coming under heavy criticism (Photo: Getty)

‘We’ve not lost, we’ve conceded a great strike from outside the box. We’re top of the group so let’s move on to the next game.’

Walker’s comments earned the praise of the man he replaced as England vice-captain: Henderson, the former Liverpool skipper who was surprisingly left out of Southgate’s squad for the Euros having been a mainstay for the last decade.

Watching the game from home, the 34-year-old shared his support for his team and defended them from their critics.

On his Instagram story, the Ajax midfielder wrote: ‘Well said, @kylewalker2. Too much negativity! Get behind and trust this team.’

Unfortunately for Henderson, the discourse is likely to continue until England find their feet in Germany, with Southgate expected to make changes for what could be a pivotal game.

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