Leader Coleman happy to phone it in

WAYNE ROONEY loves his football but somehow I can’t see the England captain absorbing results on his phone and checking out how his international team-mates or up-and-coming English talent are doing.

But this week Ireland captain Seamus Coleman revealed he does just that as he tries to keep up to date with all the Irish players in the UK.

It’s something I used to do as a player, and have done increasingly since I started working in the media. I just like to know how they are all getting on. Seamus (left) has the same enthusiasm.

It is one of the by-products of the Euro 2016 finals, which has created a togetherness among Martin O’Neill’s squad.

This is something I can also relate to. Good friendships beyond football were built between the players who went to the World Cup in Japan and South Korea 13 years ago — and I know it’s the same with the Euro ‘88, Italia ‘90 and USA ‘94 squads.

You are fighting for a common cause, representing your country and the thousands of wonderful fans who have travelled across the world to support you.

When you are away for such a long time, people get narky, there are arguments and disagreements and a need for some space.

But those stays in the hotel can be the best time to really get to know players and build friendships and trust which you definitely take onto the field.

This week, I asked Seamus if he actually likes football. He revealed he is obsessed and can’t get enough.

Perhaps as captain, he feels an extra responsibility to keep abreast of players. It is another sign of his growing maturity.

It is certainly a positive for O’Neill that the finals has helped create a bond, which the players have taken into the qualifying group for the World Cup in 2018.

At the heart is a very good captain, and one of the best right-backs in the Premier League.

Seamus is having another very good season at Everton, where he is joint second top goalscorer behind Romelu Lukaku, which is some achievement.

He is certainly one of the first defenders I put in my Fantasy Football team, because he will always get forward and score goals, or create them.