Rooney ready to catch fire
Date published: 24 June 2010
SO CLOSE . . . England striker Wayne Rooney swivels and unleashes a shot which strikes the base of the Slovenia post.
WORLD CUP:
ENGLAND skipper Steven Gerrard has warned Germany to expect a power-packed display from Wayne Rooney should he be fit for Sunday’s last-16 World Cup showdown in Bloemfontain.
The Three Lions booked their place in the knockout stages with yesterday’s 1-0 triumph over Slovenia in which Rooney was taken off after 71 minutes with a recurrence of an ankle injury.
If able to play, Rooney can provide the fire power to send the Germans packing, insists Gerrard.
Rooney looked sharper than in the previous two games and struck a Slovenian post in the second half.
And Gerrard said: "Wayne's had a bit of criticism over the last couple of days, but he worked his socks off and showed quality. I know goals are around the corner now for Wayne."
Capello praised the performance of an England side who would have won much more easily had they taken a host of glorious chances.
He said: "I saw the team play with the spirit we lost in the games we played before (against USA and Algeria).
The England manager made a point of publicly patching up his relationship with former captain John Terry.
He embraced Terry at the final whistle even though the Chelsea defender had questioned his methods earlier in the week.
