Gerrard hits back at Vieira’s criticism of England youngsters

Steven Gerrard has rebuffed the Patrick Vieira’s recent criticism of the England’s younger generation.

The former Arsenal and France captain last week suggested that the country’s national footballers are "not as proud as they used to be", citing the number of young players pulling of out squads through injury as possible evidence of this change of attitude.

Roy Hodgson's England side faces Poland in Tuesday night’s World Cup Qualifier with Kyle Walker, Tom Cleverley and Jonjo Shelveyamongst the squad’s junior members.

Gerrard, however, has claimed there is no such problem, and that Vieira’s allegations have had little effect on him.

"It surprised me to read that," he told reporters on Monday. "The impression I get from young players at Liverpool is that they’re desperate to get into this set-up.

"You can see in their faces that when they’re left out, they’re really disappointed. It didn’t annoy me because I don’t really care what Patrick Vieira says. England’s young players are hungry."