Rooney: We are much better than the records show
WAYNE ROONEY knows a thing or two about England underperforming at major tournaments.
In fact, you could say that he’s the player who most epitomises the issue.
The Three Lions as a team have struggled to live up to their billing since they went out on penalties in the semi-final of Euro 96.
And Rooney as a player has failed to match his reputation at every tournament since he burst on to the scene as an 18-year-old scoring sensation at Euro 2004 in Portugal.
England and Rooney have had four attempts since, in three World Cups and one Euros, but both team and individual have returned from each without coming close to reaching their potential.
Tomorrow, England and Rooney, now 30, the team’s skipper and record goalscorer, fly to France to try again.
Asked if he’s always had regrets about his tournaments, he offers a terse: “Well, if you don’t win them, yes, of course.
“Portugal was a long time ago. It was obviously a positive tournament personally, but it ended in disaster with the injury I picked up.
“I’m sure a few of the current players will have that sort of impact on this tournament.
“I don’t think successive teams have shown how good England are over recent years.
“I believe that English football is better than the record shows.
“It’s 50 years this year since the World Cup win and that’s too long. Hopefully, in the near future that can change.
“We have a good squad of players at the moment but we have to perform.
“We can’t expect to go there and think it’s all going to happen and it’s going to be given to us.
“We know teams will try and stop
us and make it difficult, so we know we’ll have to find ways to win games.
“We know youth can be a real positive or it can go the other way and players can freeze.
“So we’re not putting too much pressure on the younger lads.
“We need to make sure we’re all behind them, encouraging them to let express themselves.
“This squad definitely has the potential to be the best one I’ve played in.
“I think the future for the national team is really bright and we can get it off to a spectacular start.”
Rooney has been around the tournament block enough times to know that the opening game often sets the tone for what’s to come.
England’s is against Russia in Marseilles next Saturday evening and the skipper is in no doubt as to what the target should be.
“The first game is massive,” he says. “It’s important that we get off to a winning start.
“Everyone says you don’t want to lose the opening game but the difference it can make if you win it is huge.
“Russia is the big one for us now and we need to prepare well. The lads are buzzing and we can’t wait.”
It’s 20 years now since Terry Venables took his team to within a Gareth Southgate penalty miss of the Euro 96 Final and Rooney has been considering the impact that team made on the country.
“I was thinking the other day that it’s as if they won the tournament, the way they’re remembered for it,” he says.
“I was 10 at the time and I recall standing outside Anfield a couple of times while games were going on.
“I remember the atmosphere but I think I was still a bit young to really understand what was happening.
“But imagine if we can go one better than England did in 1996. It’s a challenge for us, of course, and hopefully we can do it.”