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Bale last week made a comment suggesting that Wales had more passion and pride than their neighbours who “big themselves up before they’ve done anything”, a remark that prompted a defensive response from England boss Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson called Bale’s tongue-in-cheek quip that no England player would get in the Wales team “a matter of total disinterest to me” and, responding to suggestions that Wales had more passion, said he was “perfectly satisfied with the passion that we bring to our games”.
Hodgson had earlier branded Bale “disrespectful”, while Wilshere stated that England have a better squad than Wales.
“In the press conference, someone said I disrespected England – that wasn’t the case”, he said.
“I don’t want to keep batting away questions”.
Having beaten Slovakia 2-1 in their opening game, Wales will qualify for the last 16 if they beat England, who only drew 1-1 with Russian Federation in their first match.
“That adds spice and interest”, Hodgson said. I always felt we’d win, even if they maybe were stronger.
“The centre-backs are obviously good players – they play for Manchester United and Chelsea”, said Bale.
England have been determined not to be drawn into a verbal battle, concentrating instead on recovering from a disappointing result despite a good performance in Marseille on Saturday.
Arsenal and Wales worldwide star Aaron Ramsey is relishing the upcoming encounter with England on Thursday and believes Wales will finally end their 32-year hoodoo, FourFourTwo reports.
“It is a game between brothers, if you like”.
“Tottenham striker Kane looked jaded, while Manchester City winger Sterling referred to himself as “#TheHatedOne” in a post on Instagram.
“I don’t like to comment on things that other people say”, the England coach told reporters.
But Chester, who played over 150 games for the Tigers before an £8m move to West Bromwich in July past year, insists there is no argument when it comes down to who has the best player. Some will get tremendous pats on the back and others will get fewer pats on the back.
“I think they (Wales) will play like they have been playing for quite a long period of time now with Chris Coleman”, said Hodgson.
“I enjoy everything with Wales, I love playing football and being around the boys”.
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“They’ve been good games, those games against Scotland and Ireland, and tough games for us, but the game tomorrow is very different because this is a tournament and there are such important points at stake here, whereas all that was available to us when we played Scotland, for example, was the bragging rights”.
