• England

Rooney's raging days are over, says Hodgson

ESPN staff
October 3, 2014
Hodgson defends squad selection

Roy Hodgson is convinced that Wayne Rooney is not returning to his dark days of ill-discipline despite his reckless dismissal against West Ham last weekend.

Rooney was handed a three-match ban after kicking out at Stewart Downing in Manchester United's 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

The England captain earned a reputation as something of a hot head, particularly in the early stages of his career, due to his poor disciplinary record.

He was sent off for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho in the 2006 World Cup and the last time he saw red for England three years ago, it was for kicking out at Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic.

Hodgson, who was at Old Trafford last Saturday, said there was nothing nasty about the challenge and dismissed the idea that Rooney is showing signs of poor discipline again.

"For me it was a clumsy attempt, it is not back to the bad old days," the England manager said. "The referee was right to send him off. It was unfortunate for him, I didn't see anything malicious.

"I don't see a reason to question his temperament. He was working hard for his team at the time, if anything it is a product of ambition rather than anything else."

Wayne Rooney was sent off for a wild kick on Stewart Downing last weekend © Getty Images
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