Wayne Rooney hopes he is ready to finally perform at his best for England after being inspired by the words of Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe.
The Manchester United forward is back in the England squad for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino after recovering from a gashed thigh he suffered playing for his club in August. The Wembley match also marks his first international since an uninspiring Euro 2012, for which he was initially suspended. A widely-reported pre-tournament holiday Las Vegas, while he was injured, did not go down well either.
He was later accused by former England manager Fabio Capello of only playing his best football for United, but while accepting the nature of the criticism he has received for his international displays, Rooney insisted his lack of success has not been for want of effort.
Speaking at the Football Association’s new St George’s Park National Football Centre, Rooney claimed he did not see the Capello comments, but admitted: “I can understand and see where people are coming from. But I wasn’t in Vegas going out every night drinking and partying. Obviously I went out one night and that was seen.
“I couldn’t train anyway. That is why I had the extra time off. I had to have something done to my toe. It was just a way to relax before I came into training but obviously I can understand.
“I’d have liked to have played better for England. For whatever reasons it hasn’t happened but I can hold my head up high and say I’ve always worked hard, given everything and I’ll continue to do that. Hopefully it will come off for us one day.
“I am a confident person. Looking back at games and tournaments, and I know I can do better.
“It’s great to play for your country, a great honour, I think I haven’t played at my best but being honest as a team we can do better. I am not going to win a tournament on my own. We need the whole team. There have been times when we can do better as a team, and times where we have been unlucky. If one of those goes the other way you never know what will happen.”
The training centre features photos of international legends such as Bobby Moore and the rest of England’s 1966 winning World Cup side.
It is also adorned with inspirational quotes such as Australian swimmer Thorpe’s, which reads: ‘Losing is not coming second. It’s getting out of the water knowing you could have done better.’
“I think the place is inspirational,” Rooney said. “Walking round you see all the history of England and pictures up and the Ian Thorpe quote stuck in my mind – I think it’s quite good.
“I always try to give everything and leave everything on the pitch. Sometimes it happens where you don’t play well but you have tried.” — AFP