• England

Rooney is like a 'dad' figure - Wilshere

ESPN staff
October 12, 2014
Roy Hodgson insists England are not overconfident heading into the Euro 2016 match at Estonia

Jack Wilshere praised the paternal qualities of natural-born leader Wayne Rooney as the England captain closes in on a century of international appearances.

Jack Wilshere speaks of the privilege of playing alongside Wayne Rooney © PA Photos
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Wilshere recalls Rooney as a prodigious teenager, wreaking havoc on defences at Euro 2004, and now is honoured to be playing alongside the Manchester United forward, who is expected to earn his 99th cap in Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifying clash against Estonia in Tallinn.

"He's a natural leader," the 22-year-old Wilshere said. "He's the only one now who has been playing for England for 10 years.

"He's the dad figure if you like. He puts his arm around us, brings us together and gets us going."

The retirements of Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard saw the last of the so-called 'Golden Generation' leave England duty, but, under Rooney, who is 29 on October 24, the current crop of talent are keen to assert themselves.

Wilshere added: "We're young, we're eager, we want to learn, and we want to win something with England.

"We want to get through this qualification and go to the Euros and really do something."

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