Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / INTERNATIONALS
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Olympics 2012 | Other Sport... | TV/Radio Schedule | Fun and Games | Photo Galleries | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip & Transfers | Premiership | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish Cups | Scottish League | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Photo Galleries | Football Focus | Match of the Day | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Score on BBCi

07:42 GMT, Monday, 8 September 2008 08:42 UK

Rooney unfazed by England drought

WORLD CUP 2010 QUALIFYING GROUP SIX
Croatia v England Venue: Maksimir Stadium, Zagreb Date: Wednesday, 10 September Kick-off: 2000 BST Coverage: Setanta Sports 1 and BBC Radio 5 Live & online
Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney insists his England goalscoring record is not weighing on his mind as he approaches Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Croatia.

The Manchester United striker has scored only five times for England in four years and was again off target in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Andorra.

However, ahead of the crunch game in Zagreb, he said of his lack of goals for England: "I've no problem with it.

"It's a new campaign, a new start and hopefully we can do well."

Observers have noted Rooney's other contributions aside from goalscoring and he showed the creative side of his game in setting up Joe Cole's second goal at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona at the weekend.

Midfielder Frank Lampard agrees that Rooney need not worry about his recent lack of international goals.

"The thing with Wayne is that he is not just a goalscorer," stated the Chelsea star.

"He is a creator and works hard for the team, creating angles, not only an out-and-out striker."

Rooney insists his only concern is a good team performance and he added: "Croatia are a good footballing team and we know we'll have to be at the top of our game.

"We'll have to defend well, first of all, and create opportunities going forward. Hopefully we can do that."

606: DEBATE
"England shall have to do much better against Croatia on Wednesday"
SuperStrikerShivam

The meeting will be the first between the sides since England's disastrous 3-2 defeat at Wembley in November 2007, a loss that resulted in then manager Steve McClaren's squad failing to qualify for Euro 2008.

However, captain John Terry and former skipper David Beckham are insistent that the match is not about revenge.

"It's not about having a score to settle," said Beckham. "We just want to get a good result and put a good performance in.

"We know Croatia have got some really good players and we know it's very hostile there but we have to forget about what has gone on in the past. This is the present and we have to work towards what we want to achieve in this group."

Terry commented: "I don't want to get across any kind of revenge message but, at the same time, it's a new campaign and we are going there to pick up three points so if we can get off to a good six-point start then we will take that.

"We have to rise to the challenge. We know it's difficult and we know they have not been beaten there for a long time.

"We have to go there with a clean slate and not think about the last game we played against them."



E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:

Capello angry with Cole & Rooney (07 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
England role frustrates Gerrard (07 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
England must raise game in Zagreb (07 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
Andorra coach hits out at Capello (07 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
Capello considering Cole recall (07 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
Andorra 0-2 England (06 Sep 08 |  Internationals )
Pick your England XI (31 Aug 07 |  Internationals )
Terry expects England improvement (21 Aug 08 |  Internationals )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
England
Uefa
Fifa
Football on the BBC
Your say - 606 International football
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Olympics 2012 | Other Sport... | TV/Radio Schedule | Fun and Games | Photo Galleries | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  My Club | Gossip & Transfers | Premiership | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish Cups | Scottish League | Welsh | Irish | Internationals | Europe | African Women | Photo Galleries | Football Focus | Match of the Day | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Score on BBCi

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©