Captain Roo's England relief
SAM ALLARDYCE last night put Wayne Rooney out of his misery – by confirming he was still England skipper. The new Three Lions boss left the Manchester United captain dangling until he joined up with the squad at the FA’s base at St George’s Park yesterday. Rooney has scored a record-breaking 53 goals in his 115 appearances. But he was criticised for failing to lift the team as his and their game fell apart in the shocking 2-1 defeat by Iceland that saw England crash out of Euro 2016. Allardyce has had ample opportunities to confirm the 30-year-old was keeping the armband. But has kept him on tenterhooks for more than five weeks since being appointed Roy Hodgson’s successor. Last night Allardyce said: “Wayne has been an excellent captain for England and the manner in which he has fulfilled the role made it an easy
decision for me to ask him to continue. Wayne’s record speaks for itself. He is the most senior member of the squad and he is hugely respected by his peers.
“All of these factors point towards him being the right choice to lead the team.”
Rooney (right), who took over when Steven Gerrard quit international football following the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, will lead out his country for their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier in Slovakia on Sunday.
Allardyce also revealed yesterday the best captain he has ever worked with – Jay Jay Okocha, who played under the 61-year-old at Bolton.
“On and off the field he was the captain you looked for,” he said. “In a multi-national side from all over the world, he could speak four different languages, and he communicated very well with some of the players who couldn’t speak quite as good English.
“He sorted out the odd scuffle in the dressing room and talked to the players about how we had to go out and win.
“He’d take the manager’s instructions and apply them in the right way.
“Then there was outstanding ability on the field, leading by example and showing everybody he wasn’t a mercenary which was suggested in the beginning, that he’d only come for the money.
“He became an iconic figure at Bolton Wanderers.”