• England

Moyes: I tried to poach Rooney for Scotland

ESPN staff
October 18, 2013
Wayne Rooney opened the scoring for England against Poland © PA Photos
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Manchester United boss David Moyes has revealed he also tried to convince Wayne Rooney to choose Scotland over England.

Berti Vogts admitted last week that he made a trip to Everton while he was Scotland manager to try to talk Rooney, then 16 years old, into switching his allegiance.

Moyes and Vogts were both under the wrong impression that Rooney had Scottish grandparents.

However despite his efforts, Moyes always knew what the answer was likely to be.

"I remember it," said Moyes. "In my mind there was a definite possibility. I was desperate to get him to play for Scotland.

"Unfortunately Berti and myself couldn't convince him and as it turned out, his roots and where he came from made him very much English. I don't think it was ever in doubt he would play for England."

Rooney has 86 England caps to his name, and needs just 11 more goals to equal Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time goals record of 49.

Time is on Rooney's side, with the striker turning 28 later this month. Charlton's Manchester United record of 249 goals is also in his sights - Rooney is on 202, with his contract due to expire in 2015.

Rooney has found the net seven times in his last eight games for United and England.

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