Ice-cool Rooney gets his revenge
ball fell to him he still stuck it away with aplomb.”
Rooney’s strike took him to 48 England goals, one behind Sir Bobby Charlton’s record and level with Gary Lineker.
Hodgson added: “We can rely on that man. I’d have liked him to get a hat-trick so all the talk of the record would be finished.
“They’re a strong, physical and aggressive team. Fabian Delph had an elbow to his jaw, and Raheem Sterling took a nasty kick as well late on.”
Hodgson also raved about Jack Wilshere, whose two strikes ensured England went through a season unbeaten for the first time since 1990-91.
Milivoje Novakovic put Slovenia ahead, then Wilshere struck with his double.
But the home side responded with a Nejc Petnik header before Rooney pounced to make it six wins from six in Euro 2016 qualifying Group E.
“I’m very happy with Jack and the goals he’s scored and, in particular, his performance,” said Hodgson.
“If we can keep him fit and he can get plenty of Premier League matches and international matches, at his young age, we think we’ve got a good player going forward.”
Wilshere said: “It’s obviously nice to get my first goals for England, they have been a long time coming.
“It’s something I need to add to my game.”
Hodgson took off Phil Jones at half-time after his terrible throw-in gifted possession to Slovenia for their first goal.
“I didn’t think much of the thow-in, but I don’t criticise players very often,” added Hodgson, who claimed he subbed the Manchester United player because he had a swollen ankle.
“It’s a good achievement, having a complete season of 10 games with eight wins and two draws.
“The players deserve some credit for that, and they’ll get it from me. Now we want to keep that unbeaten run going.”