Rooney used to hype

09 October 2013 17:31

The summer scrutiny over his future was water off a duck's back to Wayne Rooney.

Now recovered from the head wound that prevented him from featuring in last month's qualifiers, Rooney is back on England duty in time to help the final push for World Cup qualification.

It means Friday's Wembley showdown with Montenegro will be the first time he has featured for his country since the end of a transfer window in which most expected him to switch clubs.

Barely a day went by without some comment over Chelsea's interest in him, or the possibility of Rooney moving to Arsenal or Paris St-Germain.

In the end, the 27-year-old stayed where he was, triggering another bout of discussion.

It has always been this way for Rooney, though, from the moment he became the second youngest player in Everton history when he made his debut against Tottenham as a 16-year-old in August 2002.

"I have been used to it for years," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"I don't really take much notice of it. I don't care what anyone says. What people who don't know me say is not important to me.

"Sometimes it is difficult because I have a family as well but mainly I just get on with it and try to let my football do the talking."

Nevertheless, Rooney has shown a remarkable capacity for being able to concentrate solely on football at a time when interest over his future was reaching epidemic levels.

Source: PA