World Cup

Wayne Rooney: 'England players making supporters proud'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 10 July 2018

England's all-time record goalscorer Wayne Rooney hopes to see his former teammates use the momentum that they have built up to reach the World Cup final.

Wayne Rooney has tipped England to continue riding the crest of the wave and reach the World Cup final for the first time in 52 years.

The Three Lions finished second in Group G prior to seeing off Colombia on penalties and Sweden in normal time to set up a semi-final against Croatia on Wednesday.

Rooney has had to watch the celebrations back home from the United States, having recently completed a move to Major League Soccer side DC United on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

England's all-time record goalscorer has wished his former teammates good luck on the eve of their huge showdown with Croatia, and insists that every player can hold their head up high.

"They are doing fantastic, hopefully they can get the win. I missed the first half of the quarter-final while we were training, but I got in for the second half," he told Sky Sports News.

"It's great and the atmosphere back home looks brilliant. There is a real buzz about the team and hopefully we can get the win and go to the final.

"It's obviously in the afternoon here [during the Croatia match] on Wednesday so I'll get to watch. For the players and Gareth, I just wish them good luck. They are making us all proud and hopefully they can go one step further and make the final.

"I hope it is [coming home]. I've enjoyed all the videos going around of it. We hope and believe and with a bit of luck it will."

Rooney announced his retirement from international football last August, bowing out with 119 caps and a record 53 goals for his country.