Nikica Jelavic writes off England's chances of success at Euro 2012

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The former Rangers player isn't a likely starter for his country at the forthcoming tournament.©SNS Group

Nikica Jelavic has written off England’s chances of making an impact at Euro 2012, saying they are perennial underachievers on the big stage.

The Croatia striker, who plays his club football for Everton, believes there is always too much hype surrounding the nation’s chances of success in major tournaments.

Roy Hodgson’s team aren’t being talked of as one of the favourites for the competition and Jelavic agrees they are unlikely to feature in the final on July 1.

"Generally, I don’t have much faith in them… but England always seem to fail at big tournaments," Jelavic said in the June edition of FourFourTwo.

"I’ve been following them for years and it’s always the same: they aim high, but end up disappointed. I don’t count them among the favourites."

The former Rangers player also had a compliment for England but it pointed to a deeper problem which is often levied as a criticism by other commentators.

He added: "They have individual quality in abundance, and can occasionally play really well."

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