TOTTENHAM WINGER ANDROS Townsend should “win some medals” before calling out his critics, says former England and Arsenal man Paul Merson.
Merson had criticised Roy Hodgson’s decision to select Townsend for games against Lithuania and Italy, arguing that he should be “nowhere near the squad” based on an unimpressive year for his club.
The Spurs star’s long-range equaliser against Italy on Tuesday prompted him to hit back on Twitter, though the 47-year-old stands by his sentiments.
“I think he should concentrate on playing football, to be honest, and don’t [sic] worry about me,” Merson wrote in The Daily Star of Townsend.
“I’d also say win some medals first before you call it on. I have got no vendetta against him but I am not going to sit here and say he is top drawer.
“He plays for England and I hope he does well. Don’t think I sat there the other night and was upset for him when he scored — I was well pleased — but he’s just got back at Tottenham for the last seven or eight games. Where has he been all season?
“And you can’t say I am anti-Tottenham. There is no bigger fan of Harry Kane than me. I think he is unbelievable. You can’t throw that Arsenal-Tottenham thing at me.”
