Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

OF TEN GARETH’S CHANGE OF HART

- BY JOHN CROSS

“53 goals. 119 games. Forever a Three Lions legend. Thank you, @Wayneroone­y.”

“Brilliant timing. Always great to go out on top. Well done @Wayneroone­y an internatio­nal career to be proud of.”

“Well done on a record-breaking @England career, @Wayneroone­y!”

“@Wayneroone­y – an amazing player and goalscorer for @England. A Three Lions legend.”

remember when he first got into the squad – the youthfulne­ss, the bravery, the courage he showed, particular­ly in his first major tournament at Euro 2004. He was a breath of fresh air. No-one enjoyed playing for England more than Wayne Rooney.”

“Wayne Rooney has been a national treasure and now he’s hung up the internatio­nal boots EFC will benefit immensely!!! Class.”

“If he goes on playing like he is, scoring goals for Everton, he could still have been an important player for England. If I was England manager, I would have done everything to convince Rooney to play at the World Cup then make a decision.”

“A fantastic @England player who always gave his all. @Wayneroone­y helped me loads when I got into squad. An @England legend.”

“Wayne Rooney retires from internatio­nal football! Great decision Wayne! Loads of goals!”

“Thanks for all those wonderful @England memories @Wayneroone­y #legend.” JOE HART is losing his grip on the England No.1 spot.

Gareth Southgate names his squad for the World Cup qualifiers with Malta and Slovakia today and keeper selection is a key issue.

Southgate is giving serious considerat­ion to installing Stoke’s Jack Butland for the clash in Malta tomorrow week.

The England boss watched Butland keep a clean sheet against Arsenal on Saturday and rates him highly, having worked with him with the Under-21s.

There is a growing belief that Butland will become England’s next first-choice keeper and will remain so for next summer’s World Cup finals.

The only issue is when the change from Hart (above) to Butland is made.

Everton’s Jordan Pickford is the other emerging keeper on Southgate’s radar.

Hart’s status as England’s best keeper was called into question during Euro 2016 when mistakes against Iceland and Wales, together with erratic behaviour immediatel­y before games, raised alarm bells.

The Manchester City keeper, who feared for his England place during a season-long loan in Italy last term, has moved to West Ham for regular Premier League action, hoping to re-establish himself as Southgate’s No.1.

But Hart, 30, has had a sticky start to the season and there are worries about form and confidence which Southgate will monitor closely.

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