Retired Three Lions midfielder, Paul Scholes is the latest star to feel ‘excited’ by the team spirit within the current national squad as it prepares for Euro 2016.

The former Manchester United star, Scholes, believes England go into the forthcoming tournament in great shape compared to other competitions over the past decade.

He also says Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane should start up front, adding Jamie Vardy could be used as a high-quality substitute.

Scholes collected 66 caps and represented England in four summer tournaments – the World Cups of 1998 and 2002, and European Championships in 2000 and 2004. He told the Daily Mail:

“I’m really excited – more than I have been over the last three or four tournaments.

“The team spirit is brilliant. In the last four or five tournaments I don’t think the team spirit was at its strongest but these players are willing to learn.

“They’re young players, they listen to coaches and they are listening to team-mates.

“We probably won’t win it yet but they’re not too far away from possibly the semi-final when you look at the talent in the squad.

“We’ve got exciting players and if they can find a way of playing and gel together, we’ve got a great chance of getting to the semis.”

England last reached the last four of a major summer tournament in 1996 when they hosted the Euros, and Scholes believes Rooney and Kane would make the perfect striking combination for Roy Hodgson’s team. The player then added:

“I’d probably still start with Wayne in a No 10 or a No 9 role up front with Kane. I’d maybe keep Vardy as sub for the last 20 minutes and see how it goes.

“But if it doesn’t start great, then there are options. It’s the best thing about this squad – so many options.”