England boss Roy Hodgson has angrily refuted claims from Wales superstar Gareth Bale by branding comments questioning the passion and patriotism of the England players as "disrespectful", the Mirror reports.
The two Group B rivals face off on Thursday after two contrasting opening games, but the Real Madrid superstar stoked up the flames by aiming a few sharp barbs during the aftermath of their 2-1 win over Slovakia.
The 26-year-old told reporters that his Group B rivals "big themselves up before doing anything" and Hodgson hasn't taken those words lightly and sent a few scathing words back in return.
He said: "The fact is that receiving disrespectful comments is part and parcel of being a footballer and a football coach.
"I'm pretty sure there will be lots of players going forward in opposing teams who have opinions about us, but we know who were are; we know what we are.
"We don't have any doubts about ourselves in that respect and that's the most important thing. It's a tight dressing room. It's a passionate dressing room.
"I would recommend anybody who does have any doubts about players in that respect to just watch the game with Russia and then come to me afterwards and tell me where they have seen that lack of passion and that lack of patriotism "? because I certainly didn't see it.
"They can have those opinions.
"I don't have any doubts personally about our patriotism and our desire and that's the most important thing. If he believes that's the case then he's welcome to that opinion."?
Wayne Rooney was one of the best performers against Russia but the captain disagrees with Bale's assertions.
"That's what he feels, so I'm sure all us English players will feel different but he's obviously a proud Welshman, which he should be.
"It's where he's from and we're from England and we're very proud Englishmen."
Following England's draw on Saturday night, a win for the Hodgson's men against Wales on Thursday is a necessity if they are to avoid another humiliating early group stage exit.
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