England captain Harry Kane has been applauded for his “classy” response after a number of high-profile pundits took aim at his team’s start to Euro 2024.
The response comes after England‘s admittedly reserved opening performances, beating Serbia 1-0 but failing to be ruthless following the early goal and drawing 1-1 against Denmark whilst playing similarly defensive for most of the game.
Understandably, fans and pundits alike haven’t been overly impressed with their start to the Euros; most notably Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker said that “Kane needs to do better” on BBC coverage. The latter also summed up England’s showing in the second game as “sh*t” on The Rest Is Football podcast.
However, Kane hasn’t let the criticism go unanswered, issuing a short but sweet reply to pundits following the early verdict on Gareth Southgate‘s side this far, urging them to think twice and just “remember” what it’s like to be in that situation.
Gary Lineker called England's performance against Denmark 'shit'.
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) June 23, 2024
Insisting that he’ll never be “disrespectful to any player, especially a player who has worn the shirt and knows what it is like to play for England,” he couldn’t have put it better, simply stating: “Remember what it’s like to wear the shirt”.
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Level-headed from the skipper – who was already one of the first to admit that he knows England haven’t been at their very best – and it seems that rather than doubling down on the criticism, a lot of fans found his response pretty pitch-perfect.
Popular footy account, The 44, called it “a very classy response from our country’s captain”, while another added: “Excellent response from Harry Kane to be fair.”
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Author Hashi Mohamed went on to say: “Kane is often portrayed as thick. But this thoughtful response to former players and now pundits is very thoughtful. Lineker and the others have a responsibility to build up not tear down. Be honest but be constructive too. They’re still human beings.
On the other hand, not everyone was so convinced by the Bayern Munich striker’s words, with many stating that the talking just needs to be done on the pitch.
That Harry Kane press conference is verging onto implosion stuff.
You don't play well, you get criticism.
Kane, Saka, Bellingham, Foden, Rice, Alexander-Arnold are showered with huge praise most of the time.
The only response should be a desire to prove them wrong. #England
Kane did go on to add that “what ex-players or ex-players who are pundits now have got to realise it is very hard not to listen to it now” in the age of social media and it’s “tough” enough to represent your country without having to hear that from your peers and role models.
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He also warned them to be extra mindful of the younger players “who are not used to it or some players who are new to the environment.”
England take on Slovenia tomorrow (Tuesday, 25 June) at 8pm and although they are likely to qualify with the four points they already have, singing off the group stages with a win would do wonders for their own confidence and across the nation.
Whatever you’ve made of Southgate and the boys so far, there aren’t many times when the whole country gets to unite in support of one thing and at the end of the day, you have to back them – and when they feel that support behind them, maybe they’ll start to play how we know they can.
Featured Images — The Rest Is Football (via YouTube)TNT Sports/BBC Sport
Sport
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Oasis’ Wonderwall on the brink of becoming UK number one for first time ever 30 years after initial release
Emily Sergeant
Could Wonderwall FINALLY become UK number one for the first time ever?
England may no longer be in the running to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being knocked out in the Semi Finals by Argentina, who claimed a 2-1 win when the two teams faced off in Atlanta on Wednesday night (15 July), but it looks like that hasn’t harmed Wonderwall’s trajectory to the top of the Official UK Charts.
Oasis’ most-streamed song of all time – and arguably their most famous – is currently sitting right at the top of Spotify’s Global charts, meaning it is in the race to become the official UK number one later today.
Despite the fact it never reached number one when it was first released back in 1996 as part of the band’s second studio album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, the song has always had such cultural significance here in Manchester.
But after being adopted by the fans of the England men’s national football team during this World Cup, and belted out after every Three Lions victory this tournament, the song has taken on a whole new life.
Wonderwall was described at the time by the band’s lead guitarist and songwriter, Noel Gallagher, as being about ‘an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself’ – with the song’s title inspired by George Harrison’s solo album Wonderwall Music.
Sure, it has nothing to do with football (but neither did Sweet Caroline, let’s be real), but it’s an absolute anthem and one that’s become a symbol this year for the belief that football may have just been coming home after 60 years.
Win or lose, Wonderwall remains.
Unfortunately, while Wonderwall is in pole position as it stands, it’s up against some fierce footballing competition with the likes of Baddiel, Skinner & Lightning Seeds’ enduring anthem, Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home), hot on its heals.
Standing between both of them – and chart glory – is, of course, Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s record-breaking duet, Rein Me In, which looks to retain the top spot as it eyes a 17th non-consecutive week at the summit.
It’s also expected that The Beatles’ iconic 1968 hit, Hey Jude, will also find its way into the Top 40 in honour of the tournament’s star player Jude Bellingham.
So, will Wonderwall reign supreme then? Will the Gallagher brothers have another reason to celebrate tonight after the success of last year’s historic Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour? We’ll have to wait and see.
You can tune into the Official Chart Show on BBC Radio 1 from 4pm today.
Danny Jones -
24th June 2024 
