Jermaine Jenas defends himself over controversial Harry Kane comment made before World Cup

Jermaine Jenas has hit back after being criticised for a comment he made about Harry Kane before this year's World Cup.

Kane missed a penalty in the dying embers of England's 2-1 defeat to France in their dramatic World Cup quarter-final on Saturday evening.

The Three Lions captain, who had equalised from the spot earlier in the second half, blazed his effort over the bar and into the Al Bayt Stadium stands.

It condemned England to a sixth World Cup quarter-final elimination despite being the better side for most of the contest.

In the immediate aftermath, comments made by former Premier League midfielder Jenas re-emerged on social media.

Jenas appeared on the 'Vibe with Five' podcast back in October, with Kane coming up as a topic. The pundit criticised Kane's performances in big games for England plus club side Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite being a three-time Golden Boot winner, he's failed to make an impact when it matters most.

He declared: "My biggest issue for Harry Kane, and he's going to be a god at Spurs whenever he decides to retire, he'll go down as one of the greatest players in Premier League history.

"Finals and big games I think are a problem when it comes to what he's done in those moments.

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"If you go over Spurs' recent history and some of their biggest moments. City away, quarter-final didn't play, that's one of their biggest moments Tottenham. Ajax comeback, didn't feature.

"He was injured in those games and they are historically some of the biggest moments in Spurs' history, getting to a Champions League final, performed well and scored goals, he wasn't anywhere to be seen.

I'm not saying he shouldn't be in the team, I'm saying that in these biggest moments, when the final came, injured, didn't perform. Two League Cup finals, not performed, semi-finals, not performed.

"I've not seen him do what he does on a weekly basis in the big games and I think that is always going to be the thing.

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"And the England final, you go to the World Cup where he got the Golden Boot, didn't play well."

Jenas was criticised by Mike Keegan, who believed the comments were recent, on social media.

The former PFA Young Player of the Year hit back with: "Just to add some context to this. I did this interview on the 3rd of October and we were having a debate about great strikers! But if it works for you to put this out now to create a storm like it was done post the game against France then go ahead."

Kane will be given a week off by Tottenham manager Antonio Conte to clear his head before returning to training.

Spurs, who are fourth in the Premier League, restart their campaign away to Brentford on Boxing Day in the early kick-off.