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England team mates rave over Rooney
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-28 10:44

England players have been queuing up to praise Wayne Rooney after the teenage striker produced another prodigious performance against Northern Ireland on Saturday.

Though not on the scoresheet in the 4-0 Group Six qualifying romp, Rooney's surging runs were a constant menace and led to England's third goal after muscling past two defenders from a seemingly impossible position.


England's Michael Owen, top, celebrates after scoring with teammate Wayne Rooney during the World Cup European group 6 qualifying soccer match against Northern Ireland at the Old Trafford, Manchester, England,Saturday March 26, 2005. England won the match 4-0. [AP]
"It is not just his skill but his pure strength," said defender Gary Neville of his Manchester United club mate. "Sometimes in training you look as if you are getting the ball and he just brushes you off.

"He showed amazing strength for the third goal. He shouldn't really have got along the by-line. He was up against a six feet, four inches tall centre-half and he just brushed him out of the way.

"There aren't many who can run with the ball, not just in England but in European football, who can pick it up in central areas and go past players.

"He is one of those players who can do it and we are blessed to have him. We've got nurture him, look after him and make sure he is flying next year in the World Cup finals."

Neville pinpointed Rooney's early departure with a foot injury in the Euro 2004 quarter-final against Portugal as the moment their campaign began to falter, even though England eventually lost only on penalties.

Rooney, then 18, had scored four goals during England's two previous games, at one stage becoming the youngest scorer in a European championship match.

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"Whilst one player should never break a team, with the championship he was having, if he had stayed on the pitch it might have been a different story for us," Neville said.

"That's the fine line that you tread if you lose your great player, like France losing (Thierry) Henry or Italy losing (Francesco) Totti during a match when they're in a great run of form."

Another of Rooney's remarkable assets is a complete absence of stage fright when he is on the pitch, whether for England or United, following his move from Everton last August.

"He is playing football like he has been since he was six or seven," Neville said. "I don't think he sees being out there any differently to playing in the school yard.

"Even when he came to United, a 30 million pounds ($56.07 million) move at the age of 18-19, he's not fazed. I've seen players of 27 and 28 come to United and struggle with a lesser price tag -- but it's just natural to him."

Neville is not the only one to hope that Rooney, who will face Azerbaijan in another qualifier on Wednesday, can continue his remarkable progression.

Central defender Rio Ferdinand, another England and United team mate said: "He is a fantastic player and he has just got to keep on doing it consistently. If he carries on performing like he is at the minute it is good for both club and country."

Asked about Rooney, who had a hand in his goal on Saturday, striker partner Michael Owen said: "It is a help when you have got cracking players around you to feed you the bullets. He's got skill, strength, speed. It is fantastic.

"I am sure some people will try and give him a kick," Owen said. "But it is easier said than done when you've got his ability."



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