Wayne Rooney insisted last night that he is ready for the responsibility of leading England into a new era.
The newly appointed captain said that Roy Hodgson’s transitional side are capable of challenging for trophies, although it will take more than Rooney’s words to convince a sceptical public, with fewer than 40,000 expected at Wembley for tonight’s friendly international against Norway.
Only 30,000 tickets have been sold in advance, although Club Wembley season ticket-holders and walk-up sales could increase the attendance on the night. The crowd will be the lowest for an international at the national stadium since it reopened seven years ago, with Rooney conceding that there is work to do to regain the confidence of the supporters after England’s worst World Cup campaign since 1958.
The Manchester United striker was bullish about his personal prospects, though, and adamant that he is ready to assume the leadership role he was first tipped for by Fabio Capello five years ago. “I’m sure the scrutiny will increase,” Rooney said.
“I’ve had to deal with a lot in my career and I’m used to a lot of things, but as captain of Manchester United and England it will increase.
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“I’m ready for that. I’m ready for that responsibility. It’s my time. I’ve played a lot of games for United and England, and I’m ready to accept that responsibility and ready to lead both teams to success.
“Obviously the crowd will be lower than normal, but I think it’s still 40,000 fans there or thereabouts at the game, which is great considering the disappointment at the World Cup.
“We wanted to do better. We’re all devastated, but now we have to move on, to tomorrow night and the first European Championship qualifier against Switzerland [in Basle] on Monday. We’re always grateful to the fans because their support is second to none.”
Rooney expressed his belief that England supporters could have more to cheer about in the future despite presiding over an inexperienced team, in which Gary Cahill is the second most-capped player after the captain with 27 international appearances.
Hodgson will give a first start to John Stones at right back this evening, with Phil Jones partnering Cahill at centre back and Rooney and Daniel Sturridge up front in an orthodox 4-4-2 formation.
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Raheem Sterling will play wide, although Danny Welbeck is doubtful
after suffering a knock in training yesterday. Jack Colback has been ruled out.
“I look at my career in terms of how successful we are as a team,” Rooney said. “I’ve always said I don’t want to finish my career with England having not won anything. I’ve always wanted to win a trophy with England, and if I can lead us to do that, that’ll be the pinnacle of my career.
“That will be very difficult, but I really do think it’s achievable. Look at the players we’ve got.
“They’re exciting players. They have to do what they do for their clubs with England, and we have to bring that together.”
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Hodgson was more reticent about proclaiming the start of a new era, not least because he accepted the international retirements of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard after the World Cup finals in Brazil only with great reluctance.
“I’m very loath to talk about eras,” the England manager said. “We’ve been working together for two years and I was aware of the risk that the Gerrards, Lampards, Terrys and Coles would be moving on and we’d have to have new players coming in.
“Most of these players have played some part with me. It’s more a question of keeping things moving forward.”