Former Liverpool player Steve Nicol has hit out at Ashley Cole after the Roma full-back seemed to suggest that playing in America would not be as demanding as his time in Europe.

Cole left Chelsea at the end of last season and joined Roma on a two-year deal earlier this month.

Shortly after moving to Italy, he told the club's official website: "I have had other offers from USA, but I didn't want to sit on the beach yet."

He later tweeted: "Before I signed at Roma people on here killing me about playing there, saying it's for the money and easy life style. I choose to play in a more demanding place and team."

Cole then clarified where the offers had come from, by tweeting: "I'm talking about the MLS by the way."

Cole's comments led Steve Nicol - who coached New England Revolution for 10 years - to hit out at the former England international.

Ashley cole said if I wanted an easy ride I would have gone to MLS. Such an ignorant comment. MLS does not want you thanks

— Stephen Nicol (@SteveNicol61) July 24, 2014