Sterling aims to be pick of Englishmen
RAHEEM STERLING has set his sights on hunting down Wayne Rooney’s English goalscoring record in Europe. The Manchester City forward has scored 24 goals in the Champions League — one ahead of Chelsea legend Frank Lampard and level with Paul Scholes. Rooney is out on his own on 30 goals but Sterling — hoping to start tonight’s semi-final first leg against Real Madrid — says he is capable of scaling those heights. ‘It’s like anything, when you make your professional debut, then it’s on to the next thing, it’s scoring your first goal and so on,’ said Sterling. ‘You always have to try and do better and that’s the case every season. ‘I try to see how I can improve. I am trying to see if I can get the England record and that’s what I’ll try to do. ‘This is a special competition, a competition every youngster wants to play in. Every time I play, I try to give my best. The music and atmosphere on the night — it’s always special.’ Sterling has won every domestic trophy at City and feels more valued after a fruitful campaign. ‘As a player, to be playing and scoring and making assists — contributing to the team — is a massive thing,’ he added. ‘That’s where you get confidence from, I’m trying to contribute as much as I can. The Champions League is the one we haven’t quite got our hands on and are focusing on. ‘I’m just happy to be playing, happy to be contributing with the team. I think that’s the most important thing. ‘At this point, I think it would be selfish of me to speak of any contract situation and I’m just happy to be playing football and I will see where we are at the end of the season.’