London (AFP) – England great Peter Shilton said Tuesday that Wayne Rooney should have retired from international football after this year’s European Championships.
Manchester United forward Rooney, 30, has said he intends to retire from England duty after the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but former goalkeeper Shilton believes he should already have called time on his career with the national side.
Shilton, whose England record of 125 caps is set to be surpassed by Rooney, told the BBC: “I don’t think he’s a striker any more.
“He is spraying a few balls around, but I don’t think he’s being very effective.
“I thought he should have retired after the Euros. It’s not because he could break my record. Far from it. If he does and he plays well, fine.”
Rooney made his 116th international appearance on Sunday as England marked Sam Allardyce’s first match as national team manager with a last-gasp 1-0 win away to Slovakia, secured by Adam Lallana’s injury-time goal in a 2018 World Cup qualifier away to Slovakia.
Best known as an out-and-out striker, England captain Rooney, whose position in the side has been the subject of much debate, started in a withdrawn role against Slovakia before going even deeper into midfield when Dele Alli came on in the second half.
But, according to Shilton, Rooney — England’s record scorer with 53 goals — was in the wrong role.
“We are trying to fit him in, but he’s not a midfield player for me,” said the 66-year-old. “Never will be.”
