Craig Bellamy has responded angrily to Jack Wilshere’s comments about England being the better team than Wales at the Euro 2016.

The Arsenal midfielder was speaking ahead of the meeting between the two teams in the group stages. After having started the Euro 2016 with a 2-1 win over Slovakia, there is now less pressure on Wales to get three points against England. In the meantime, the rivals could only manage a 1-1 draw with Russia in the opening group match. After having failed immensely in recent major tournaments, the pressure is on England to get a result against Wales.

Bellamy says that Wilshere’s comments about England being better is only likely to help Wales get fire in their bellies. Bellamy admitted that in terms of individual players, England may have better quality in almost every position. However, he reckons that England are not playing as a team and this will only help Wales when they step onto the pitch. Wales only have a few superstars like Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey capable of turning around matches on their own, but the biggest strength has been playing as a team. Even though Bellamy admitted that England deserved to win against Russia, he feels that playing against Wales will be a different proposition.

"As a squad of players, England probably do have a better squad, but they don't have a better team. And if you want to go on players, we've got the best player.You name England's best XI, Wales' best XI, we have the best player, no two ways about it.This game is set up perfect for us, the three points [against Slovakia] didn't half help.Look, England did play well and deserved to beat Russia, no two ways about it. But they can't afford to draw, they have to beat Wales and that suits us perfectly," said Bellamy.