Roy Hodgson, England manager

Roy Hodgson praised his players, despite their exit from Euro 2012

England manager Roy Hodgson believes his Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham charges can leave Euro 2012 with their heads held high as well as the rest of the squad.

The Three Lions bowed out of the tournament in traditional English fashion – losing on penalties, this time to Italy.

The likes of Theo Walcott, John Terry, Scott Parker all played their part through the tournament but England head home at the quarter final stage yet again.

“We’ve gone out with our heads held high,” Hodgson told the BBC.

“I think the lads did a fantastic job for their country”

Hodgson felt the players had been running on empty during the latter stages of normal time and throughout extra time.

“We had lots of players out there running on empty and they battled to keep them out,” he added.

“When you go to penalties you have a chance but we missed.

Ashley Young and Ashley Cole missed their spot-kicks, rendering their practice meaningless and Hodgson believes that it’s one thing doing it in training, it’s another in a match.

“You can’t, unfortunately, practice penalties,” the England boss stated. “You can’t reproduce the tired legs and the pressure.

“They stood up to it better, with Pirlo’s penalty typifying it.”