Under-fire Gary Lineker claims he was 'shafted' over his jibe that England were 's***' against Denmark - as he reveals that he doesn't have Harry Kane's number after captain hit back at pundits' criticism

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Gary Lineker has claimed he 'got shafted' for his jibe that England 'were s***' against Denmark and has spoken out to clarify his comments.

The 63-year-old claimed that he had been referring to the game 's***' when he made the comment and had not been referring to the Three Lions or Harry Kane. 

The BBC Match of the Day presenter also revealed that he has not spoken to the England captain after Kane hit back at pundits who have criticised his team, urging them to show 'responsibility'.

Lineker, who has admitted that he wants nothing more than to watch England win the European Championship, was one of several football commentators and pundits who criticised Gareth Southgate's side's form during the group stages of the tournament.

On his analysis of England's 1-1 draw against Denmark, the 63-year-old had said on the Rest Is Football podcast: 'I mean, you can think of all sorts of words and expletives if you like, but it was s***.'

Gary Lineker (pictured) has clarified his comments that England were 's***' during their 1-1 draw against Denmark

Harry Kane (pictured) hit back at Lineker and other pundits who had been critical of England's Euro 2024 performances 

The BBC pundit has now clarified what he meant by the statement. In an interview with The Guardian, Lineker said: 'I got shafted a bit with that.

'I never said that either Harry Kane or England were shit. I listened back to make sure. 

'I said "it" was s***, "it" being the game. But it goes to Harry as "Gary Lineker says you were s***," which is a bit naughty. But I think these guys get it.'

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When asked if he had spoken to Kane, he said that he did not have the England star's phone number, before adding that he had not previously met the Bayern Munich striker.

'Actually, have I ever met him [Kane]? I don’t think I have.' Lineker said. 'I don’t think I’ve ever come face-to-face with him. Alan [Shearer] has his number and might have messaged him.'

'I have massive respect for him,' he added, speaking on the England captain. 'I love him: he’s one of England’s greatest-ever footballers, our greatest goalscorer.

'But there’s nothing wrong with him not playing the whole 90 minutes and you have a great option with someone like Ollie Watkins whose game is about running behind.'

Some have questioned whether Southgate should drop Kane for Sunday's final, with Mail Sport columnist Graeme Souness urging the England boss to drop the England captain for Watkins.

England have faced criticism for their performances at Euro 2024, despite reaching the final 

But Lineker has lumped praise on Kane stating he has 'massive respect for him' but adding there is 'nothing wrong with him not playing a full 90 minutes'  

Lineker (pictured) added he understands where Kane is coming from based on his own experiences representing England

Following Lineker's jibe, Kane hit out at a host of pundits and commentators who have criticised his team's performances. 

‘I would never want to be disrespectful to any player, especially a player who has worn the shirt and knows what it is like to play for England,’ Kane said during a press conference.  

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‘But what ex-players who are pundits now have got to realise it is very hard not to listen to it now, especially for some players who are not used to it or some players who are new to the environment.

‘I always feel like they have a responsibility – I know they have got to be honest and give their opinion but also they have a responsibility of being an ex-England player.

‘The bottom line is we haven’t won anything as a nation for a long, long time and a lot of these players were part of that as well and they know how tough it is.' 

According to The Telegraph, some BBC Staff at Euro 2024 felt 'unhappy, uncomfortable and embarrassed' by Lineker's criticism of Southgate on his podcast.

Lineker has reportedly also been snubbed from presenting the BBC's new Champions League highlights show, with Gabby Logan being selected for the role instead. 

The BBC pundit, who earns £1.35m-a-year from the corporation, had also criticised Southgate's on the Rest is Football podcast: 'Was it tactically inept? They're just a little bit lost tactically. And that comes from the manager, I'm afraid. It really does. He's got to get England playing higher up the pitch, as a unit. Because at the moment they're not a unit. Are they not coached to play that?

Lineker added that he had 'massive respect for the England star 

'He's an amazing leader, he's a great communicator, he's transformed the public's opinion of the national team and the players. But, tactically, the first game, and we've seen it in other tournaments as well.'

Southgate had later claimed that he was oblivious to  Lineker's remarks. 

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In a separate, podcast, Lineker had responded to Kane's press conference, insisting that journalists were to blame for escalating the row. 

'We've talked about this on this podcast before about journalists not being brave enough to ask their own questions,' he said to The Rest is Football podcast following Kane's comments.

'I guarantee whoever asked that would have probably been critical himself. I think they do it A) to stir the pot and B) because they're too scared to ask the questions themselves.

'I get it and it puts Harry on the spot, but I thought he answered it fine with one or two bits in there, but it's not easy answering a question like that.'

Kane can now win the Golden Boot award at this summer's European Championship if he out scores Spain's Dani Olmo on Sunday

Despite the concerns that have been voiced over England's performances at Euro 2024, Southgate's side have still progressed to the final of Euro 2024.

Awaiting them, is a red hot Spain side who have been one of the most impressive teams at the tournament so far. 

England, though, stepped up their performance in their semi-final clash against the Netherlands, with Ollie Watkins coming on to replace Kane late in the second-half, before the Aston Villa star scored a 90th-minute winner to send England through to the final.

Despite having failed to live up to his form with Bayern Munich this season, Kane is England's leading goal scorer at Euro 2024 and can clinch the tournament's Golden Boot title this summer, if he can out-score Spain's Dani Olmo - who is tied with the England captain also on three goals.