Rooney to quit England after 2018 World Cup
LONDON: Wayne Rooney will end his England career after the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the striker said on Tuesday. The 30-year-old made his announcement at a news conference ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on Sunday when will set a new record for an England outfield player, ahead of David Beckham, by winning his 116th cap.
“Come Russia I feel that will be the time for me to say goodbye to international football, my mind is made up, said Rooney, who was reappointed England captain by new manager Sam Allardyce on Monday. “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,” he said.
ALLARDYCE FOR FOREIGN-BORN PLAYERS
LONDON: England manager Sam Allardyce is keen to the leave the door open for foreign-born players to enter the national team set-up and has told British media he would have no problem picking a player who qualified only through residency.
“Do you pick the best squad to win the World Cup, and if one or two of those are like N’Zonzi, do you do it? Or don’t you and then suffer the consequences of not getting to the quarterfinal and failure?” Allardyce said.
“The percentage of English players in the Premier League is 31 percent. Surely if you’re going to win something and that player is of the calibre to force his way into that side then you give him an opportunity?
NO REGRETS FOR KEANE AHEAD OF FINAL BOW
DUBLIN: Retiring Ireland legend Robbie Keane says he would not have swapped a major club honour for his international career.
“I’ll miss everything about playing for Ireland, first and foremost, I’ll miss pulling that green jersey on. For me, more than anything, that’s been the highlight of my career.”
The LA Galaxy striker will play for his country for the last time in Wednesday night’s friendly with Oman at Lansdowne Road.