Podolski shrugs off Bierhoff doubts

Lukas Podolski has hit back at Oliver Bierhoff for questioning his place in the Germany national team.

Arsenal forward Podolski is in Miami training with Germany ahead of friendlies against Ecuador and the United States.

Podolski, whose development with the Germany team last year was labelled “unsatisfactory” by team manager Bierhoff, said he did not appreciate the comments.

“If it seems that way to Mr. Bierhoff, then that’s his opinion. You don’t have discuss it,” he told reporters..

“I do not care. I know what I have in me.

“Things will be looking up (in) a few years, because sometimes you can have a stop.”

Bierhoff was made aware of Podolski’s comments and provided the striker with words of advice.

“I am a friend of clear words. And also players must be able to take criticism, must also live with the facts,” he said.

“It’s not like that one is saying that you do not believe in him, that you have no confidence in him.

“He has helped us repeatedly and is incredibly important for the team, but the development last year with the national team was just not as satisfactory.”

Podolski, 27, scored 11 goals in 33 league appearances for Arsenal during his debut season with the club.

He has been capped 108 times for Germany, making him the joint third-highest capped player in their history, alongside Jurgen Klinsmann, tallying 44 goals in that span.

Lothar Matthaus is the all-time capped player with 150 appearances for Germany.