Roo going South?
Southgate does not fear dropping Rooney against Slovenia
Gareth Southgate claims he is brave enough to drop England captain Wayne Rooney. The Three Lions interim boss is considering axing Rooney for today’s World Cup qualifier against Slovenia. Rooney’s recent form has been indifferent and he was jeered by the Wembley crowd in England’s 2-0 win over Malta on Saturday. Southgate said: “I’ve got to make decisions which are right for the team and, whenever you select a team with England, you’re going to leave someone out ... Here, whenever we pick a team we select a team which we feel is right for the game.”
LONDON: Gareth Southgate claims he is brave enough to drop England captain Wayne Rooney.
The Three Lions boss is considering axing Rooney for today’s World Cup qualifier against Slovenia.
Southgate said: “I’ve got to make decisions which are right for the team and, whenever you select a team with England, you’re going to leave someone out.”
Quizzed on his toughest moment in football, the interim boss referred to Middlesbrough’s top-flight relegation in 2009.
Former Boro chief Southgate said: “Making some really close friends redundant. That’s probably as big as you can get.
“Here, whenever we pick a team we select a team which we feel is right for the game.
“Given the number of chances we created against Malta I don’t think we were far away.”
Rooney, booed by fans at Wembley, played in a deep midfield role and Southgate claims he is not worried his 117-cap man is no longer starting for Manchester United.
Southgate said: “I think at this moment in time, that’s irrelevant.
“We’ve got a captain who is desperate to lead on and off the field and continues to make an outstanding contribution to that group of players.
“So that was why he was selected. What’s happening at Manchester United for this week is not as important.
“I was very pleased with his performance. I felt the role he was asked to play he fulfilled.
“He was asked to dictate the game, play with positional discipline, which we thought was very important.
“Him and Jordan Henderson as a pair did exactly as we hoped, so Slovenia is a completely different game.
“We are likely to be playing against a different tactical system and away from home, so we have got to assess all of those things.
“Rooney commands that respect. When he makes his observations, he speaks up. “It’s clear the authority he talks with but also the insight and his knowledge of the game is a very high level.
“Not just of the game but the dynamics of the groups and things they can learn, things they can improve upon.”
Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier is set to return for tomorrow’s trip meaning Rooney could be moved forward.
Jesse Lingard or Theo Walcott could be the players who make way as Dele Alli is unlikely to be dropped.
Uncapped Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Arsenal leftback Kieran Gibbs will also be on England’s flight to Slovenia.