WAYNE ROONEY revealed how he could have been soaking up the sun in Dubai today rather than sitting on a chilly bench in Ljubljana.
Temperatures will hit 36 degrees in the Middle East, somewhat hotter than in the capital of Slovenia.
But Rooney won’t be frozen out even if Gareth Southgate has turned up the heat by axing his captain for the World Cup qualifier tonight.
Rooney’s deep love of playing for his country means he’s willing to be a bit-part player for England.
Rooney, 30, said: “It would have been easy for my to walk away and say, That’s it, I’ve had enough’ – but that’s not me.
“I will not stop playing for England and then think of going to Dubai for a few days in the international break.
“I will turn up when called upon and be ready. There are other players who sit on the bench – we all want to play. But that’s part of football.
“I am not naive in terms of thinking that I am still a 20-year-old who could do what I could do when I was 20.
“I understand that. I feel my game is different to that of a 20-year-old, but I also think I have qualities that can help move this team forward.”
The Manchester United skipper’s reaction to the bad news was very much that of a grown-up.
It was in complete contrast to how Paul Gascoigne handled his omission from the 1998 World Cup squad.
Current England boss Southgate was in that selection by Glenn Hoddle and will no doubt recall how Gazza smashed up his hotel room in protest.
Southgate, who has called in Eric Dier to replace Rooney and promoted Jordan Henderson to skipper, said he had been hugely impressed with how England’s record goalscorer has dealt with the blow.
“I think it’s a really good point,” he said when it was suggested a raging Rooney could have disrupted his plans for tonight’s World Cup qualifier.
“We’ve had an open, honest conversation and I think that’s the right way. It’s been dealt with in a really mature way.
“It’s not something I take any pleasure from at all, but you put emotion and feeling to one side and make a decision that you think is right for tactical reasons.”
Southgate – who broke the news to Rooney on Sunday at the team hotel in Watford – seemed genuinely angry yesterday at some of the flak aimed at his skipper by fans and pundits.
They’ve been calls for him to axe Rooney permanently. And the 117-times-capped star was even booed by some supporters in the 2-0 win over Malta on Saturday.
“You can see the pride he has of being involved every day with us,” said Southgate.
“I guess it goes back to people not knowing the man and they all have an opinion.
“But I think they are wide of the mark. I think there is a thing of respect and unfortunately very often we don’t see it fully until players retire and they are finished.
“We have an opportunity still with Wayne, there is still time ahead and his impact on the whole squad is huge.
“I have been more aware of that over the last few days because the contribution the things he talks about, that experience he passes on.
“The players fully appreciate the gold-dust he is giving them.”
Rooney concluded by showing he even had time for a bit of gallows humour.
Southgate revealed he had made up his mind to drop him before the Malta game.
So how about him playing in the next game, he was asked, meaning England’s qualifier at home to Scotland on November 11?
With a big grin on his face, Rooney, who has been a sub for Jose Mourinho in the last three games, interrupted to ask: “Do you mean United or England?”
Discussion about this post