Rooney bows out own way

WHILE Wayne Rooney will never silence the cynics who carp about his lack of silverware in an England shirt, the astonishing array of records set by the striker ensure his place as one of his country’s all-time greats.

Rooney’s announcement of his retirement from the international stage yesterday brought the curtain down on an England career that began in a blaze of hyperbole and ended with the Everton star rejecting Gareth Southgate’s offer of a return to the fold.

He played 119 matches for 53 goals.