England career on a World Cup high
“On the outside they might be confident and then on the inside you never know how they’re feeling, whether they’re feeling a lot of pressure or what.
“You can only go by what they’re telling you. But the lads seemed fine before the Iceland game. There was a big lack of concentration and a lack of discipline in our shape in that game.
“We’ve seen a lot of teams over-achieve with Sam as manager. That’s down to the way he has got them playing. Hopefully he can do the same with us.”
Alan Shearer, among others, has suggested it is time for Rooney to call time on England to help extend his club career. But Rooney, who won his first cap under Sven-Goran Eriksson in February 2003, believes he still has something to offer, playing in the No 10 role and as captain.
“I still feel capable of doing a good job for England,” he said. “I’ve seen players retire from international football and get two or three days off but that doesn’t appeal to me.
“I know if I stopped playing now, during this week I’d have two days at home and I would be regretting it.
“The time will probably be right in two years’ time. Come Russia I feel that will be the time to say goodbye to international football. I started playing professional football when I was 16, and started playing internationals when I was 17. Fifteen years is a lot.
“Russia will be my last opportunity to do anything with England so I’m going to try to enjoy these two years and hopefully I can end my time with England on a high.”