England manager Roy Hodgson has defended his team ahead of Thursday's Euro2016 clash with neighbours Wales.

The Three Lions were criticised by Gareth Bale on the weekend with Dragons star suggesting that 'we've got a lot more passion and pride about us than them' and that England 'big themselves up before they've done anything'.

That prompted a response from Hodgson on Sunday, in the wake of his side's 1-1 draw with Russia, as Wales defeated Slovakia 2-1 to set up an enticing encounter in Lens.

"Receiving disrespectful comments is part and parcel of being a footballer and a football coach," he said regarding the comments from the Real Madrid star.

"I don't ever comment on other people. I've been in the game sufficiently long to know every opponent has got an opinion, the other day it was (Russia goalkeeper Igor) Akinfeev saying we were the worst seeded team and now it's Gareth Bale.

"They can have those opinions but I don't have any doubts personally about our patriotism or desire and that's the important thing.

"If he believes that that's the case, he's welcome to that opinion.

"But we know who we are, we know what we are. We don't have any doubts about ourselves in that respect."