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All eyes on Rooney as he says farewell but Southgate is trying to move England away from how they played during striker’s era
THERE is no doubting Gareth Southgate’s sincerity in wanting Wayne Rooney to enjoy an emotional England swansong tonight but the whole affair is also symptomatic of an era he is looking to leave behind.
Rooney’s 120th and final international appearance has proved a decisive gesture and in many ways that is a fitting coda for a striker standing as England all-time record goalscorer and highestcapped outfield player yet whose real worth was regularly questioned.
Both Rooney and Southgate have touched on the point this week, with the latter admitting his disappointment at Rooney “almost having to defend his inclusion in the game”, something he did at St George’s Park’s earlier this week with a typical dose of humility.
The 33-year-old revealed he had not always enjoyed his time with England but Southgate was moved to highlight that Rooney has never shirked the often ludicrous expectation that was placed on his shoulders from an early age.
Rooney was part of the fabled Golden Generation who proved less than the sum of their parts. As the more experienced players receded from view with age, Rooney assumed greater responsibility and the strain took its toll.
“We all tried to be successful,” Rooney said. “Maybe we didn’t have the squad. We had a very good starting eleven but maybe not that backup in a tournament if someone got injured or suspended. But we tried.”
Southgate has repeated a regret he was not able to call on Rooney in his prime and the feeling may well be mutual — there is certainly a greater sense of adventure under Southgate than with Sven-Goran Eriksson or Fabio Capello in charge.
Southgate has worked hard to eradicate the culture of the individual, where England so often did little more than hope one of their big names would conjure something out of nothing to get them out of trouble.
Along with former technical director Dan Ashworth and other senior figures at the Football Association, he has attempted to instil a progressive philosophy which players grow into rather than specifically mould themselves.
Everything that Southgate talked about banishing from players’ minds during the World Cup — penalty heartache, fear of failure, errors in judgement or discipline — Rooney lived it all. He is, in many ways, the poster boy for it. Yet at the same time, he captained his country, set new records and sought to lead from the front.
It is a little of that stoicism that Southgate hopes will rub off on his young squad this week as he looks to take them into an era of collective responsibility, exemplified by Fabian Delph’s presence as captain this evening.
Leadership meetings have been a regular fixture under Southgate, with players encouraged to embrace the experience of playing for England.
Southgate is keen to move away from overt scrutiny and pressure on one player on and off the pitch, something that probably went through his mind when facing the umpteenth question about Rooney this week.
The DC United striker will be given a pre-match guard of honour, he will wear the number 10 shirt and receive the
5 LEFT FOOT
captain’s armband when entering the fray as a second-half substitute.
Wholesale changes to the starting line-up are expected, with Sunday’s UEFA Nations League clash against Croatia in mind, and so Southgate’s fringe players have an opportunity to prove just how much they have moved on from Rooney’s era, building on their World Cup semi-final appearance by
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Southgate’s fringe men have a chance to prove England have the strength in depth Rooney rued as a player