Shilton backs Rooney to live up to expectations of English fans during WC
May 19th, 2010 - 5:43 pm ICT by ANILondon, May 19 (ANI): England legend Peter Shilton has backed ace striker Wayne Rooney to live up to the expectations of fans during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa
“At the end of the day Wayne is only 24, but I’m sure he can deal with everything. He’s really matured as a player and shaken off the impetuousness of his younger years,” The Sun quoted Shilton, as saying.
“The aggression and will to win remain, along with the competitive spirit, but he’s harnessed it in the right way now. Wayne’s far more disciplined and that’s obviously going to be important in South Africa,” he said.
Capello has a number of options with the likes of Emile Heskey, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent to partner Rooney in front, the paper said.
But Shilton expects Aston Villa player Heskey to get the nod when England’s Group C campaign kicks off against the United States on June 12, it added.
“It’s a difficult one to call. Heskey’s not an out-and-out goal scorer but his strength makes him a terrific target man. At the end of the day I think it will come down to the system Capello plays,” he said.
“However, I wouldn’t like to see Rooney up front on his own as that would take away from his strengths. I think Heskey will get the nod because Capello likes to play with a strong man leading the line,” Shilton said. (ANI)
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Tags: ace, aggression, aston villa player, capello, emile heskey, england, english fans, goal scorer, impetuousness, jermain defoe, london, nod, peter crouch, peter shilton, south africa, spirit, strong man, target man, wayne rooney, world cup
