England manager Roy Hodgson has branded quotes by Fabio Capello suggesting Wayne Rooney only plays well for Manchester united as "cheap".
Capello told Italian radio the Three Lions forward "only understands Scottish" because he only played well for Sir Alex Ferguson at United.
Rooney toiled at yet another tournament in his two games at Euro 2012, despite scoring the winner against Ukraine and striking an accomplished penalty in the shootout against Italy.
But Hodgson defended his striker against the criticism from his predecessor.
"Capello is entitled to his opinions, I suppose. I don't know what relationship he would have had with Wayne but I always think it's a bit cheap to kid on a player who was so anxious to do well," he told talkSPORT radio station.
"His attitude was magnificent. He was putting in extra work in training because he was concerned he was behind the others having missed the first two games through suspension."
Hodgson hailed Rooney's desire as "enormous" but acknowledged he "didn't play to the level he can" in the quarter-final exit to the Italians on Sunday.
Capello managed Rooney for three years with England, and the United striker scored nine goals in the Three Lions' 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
However he endured a dismal tournament in South Africa as he started all four matches but didn't score and performed poorly.
Following an embarrassing 0-0 draw with Algeria, he turned to an on-pitch camera and sarcastically quipped: "Nice to see your home fans boo you." He apologised the following day.
Capello enjoyed a decent relationship with the 26-year-old, accompanying him to his disciplinary hearing in Switzerland last year after Rooney appealed a three-match ban for a red card he received in qualifying for Euro 2012 against Montenegro. The suspension was reduced by one match and enabled him to play against Ukraine.
When Capello left the England post in February, Rooney admitted on Twitter he was "gutted" the Italian was leaving the role.