England manager Roy Hodgson has launched a stinging attack on critics who he feels talked "a complete load of rubbish" following his side's 4-1 win against Montenegro on Friday.

A win against Poland on Tuesday will seal the Three Lions' place in the World Cup finals next summer, and Hodgson has hit out at people who have criticised his team during the qualifying campaign.

"People can say what they want [but they talk] a complete a load of rubbish," he told reporters.

"I've been coaching for 38 years, I've been being labelled as this coach or that coach for 38 years, so I can certainly stand it for a couple more.

"I was irritated in Montenegro with [FSCG president] Dejan Savicevic, who suggested to me that England players just play for themselves, they don't care about the shirt, whereas 'we Montenegrins throw ourselves into everything'."

Meanwhile, Hodgson has revealed his thought process behind the selection of Andros Townsend for his side on Friday.

Written by
Paul Gorst