Wayne Rooney hits back at his critics and insists: ‘I’ve still got a few years left in me’
England skipper returning from the longest injury of his career discusses his scoring record, role as captain and Euro 2016
WAYNE ROONEY has hit back at his critics and insists he still has a “few years left” as an England striker.
The 30-year-old injured Three Lions captain saw Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy steal the headlines with goals against Germany and Holland last week.
The form of his rivals has led many to question whether Rooney should be in Roy Hodgson’s starting XI at Euro 2016.
Rooney said: "I’ve still got a few years left, I feel.
"I’ll keep trying to, first and foremost, help the team be successful and if I can score the goals to help achieve that then that’ll be great.
"Over the last two years my form for England has been really good, I’ve scored a lot of goals.
"The record stood for more than 40 years so to be the one to break it means a lot – and then for Sir Bobby to present me with the award as well, that makes it even more special.
"But it’s something I’m looking to expand now, I’ve got the record and I just want to carry on scoring as many goals as I can."
I've still got a few years left
The Manchester United forward is nearing a return from a knee problem that has kept him out for almost two months.
And with the Euros edging ever closer, Rooney says there is no chance he will be taking it easy once back in action to ensure his fitness for France.
Rooney said: "No, you have to just concentrate on playing for your club.
"Injuries happen in football so you can’t think like that. Obviously you don’t want to get injured but sometimes it happens and, to be honest, with the intensity of the Premier League you’re always carrying something."
The European Championship was the stage when Rooney burst onto the international scene 12 years ago.
The then 18-year-old banged in four goals to ensure England’s progression to the knockout stage before a metatarsal injury stopped him in his tracks.
Although he admits he is a different player now compared to his explosive teenage years, the Croxteth-born forward is concentrating on getting back to his best ahead of this summer’s trip to France.
Rooney said: "I was playing really well before that injury so it could’ve been different but that’s in the past and you have to look forward.
"I think I’m a different player now to what I was then so I don’t compare myself – I’m always just thinking about what comes next and making sure I’m at my best for the summer."
The ex-Everton man continued: "Throughout your career your game changes and develops, you’re playing with different players and you have to adapt your game to that and adapt to different systems you play in.
"So I think that happens naturally anyway and as long as you’re willing to adapt and you’re taking in what’s being asked of you – which I’ve always been quite good at doing – then you’ll have no problems.
"I feel I’m a lot more patient now in my play, when I was younger I could be impatient and I’d end up in positions I didn’t really need to be in."
With a host of young stars such as Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier emerging on the England scene over the past year, Hodgson will be counting on Rooney’s experience to guide his fledglings.
I'm a different player now, I only think about what's coming next
It’s a role Rooney, who has won 109 caps to date, relishes and he is feeling confident about the potential within the Three Lions squad.
Rooney said: "It’s a young team and obviously as captain you want to get a strong bond between everyone and I really feel there is that at the moment, everyone gets on really well.
"There isn’t a massive age gap from the oldest to the youngest player – I think us and Holland were the youngest teams going through qualifying – and I think that shows and helps the younger lads relax around everyone.
"You have myself, Joe Hart, Gary Cahill who are a little bit older and are there to help with anything but we’re all together all the time and I think the squad is in a very good place right now.
"The atmosphere’s brilliant. We’ve done really well in qualifying and it’s great to see the young lads doing well for their clubs and pushing for selection.
"There’s a lot of excitement among the players and I’m sure that will build as the tournament gets closer. I feel we’re in a good position."
The one problem highlighted by Rooney was the "boredom" away from the pitch when away representing your country.
But as a veteran of five major tournaments, Rooney had some words of advice for the younger players who will be having their first taste of one.
Rooney added: "It’s boring obviously! I’m sure if you asked anyone from any country they’d say that was the case.
"You train, you go back to the hotel, then you’re in the hotel all day, but that’s a normal part of going away and it’s the same in pre-season.
"This is a huge moment in your career and English football and you have to try and make the most of it and enjoy it.
"There’s a couple of tournaments I’ve been to where I haven’t enjoyed it as much as I should do so that’d be my advice to the young lads – these don’t come around very often, so enjoy it.
"If we do that and play to our capabilities I’m sure we’ll do well."
Wayne Rooney was talking to the PFA’s 4 The Player magazine about what it means to him to become England’s record goalscorer.
It is available to download on Monday by visiting .