Source: Team_Talk
Carragher: Rooney ready for take-off
England hardman Jamie Carragher is confident fellow Merseysider Wayne Rooney can still make a big impact at the 2010 World Cup.[LNB] Having been tipped to become one of the major stars in South Africa, Rooney heads into Sunday's mouth-watering last-16 clash with Germany still waiting for his first goal.[LNB]Overall, his barren streak with the Three Lions stretches back eight games, to September last year when he scored in the five-goal demolition of Croatia at Wembley.[LNB]Although the 24-year-old did impress at times during the do-or-die win over Slovenia on Wednesday, he still seems troubled by the ankle injury he sustained on Champions League duty for Manchester United at the beginning of April.[LNB]An ill-advised rant at the England fans who booed their team after that tepid draw with Algeria offered a further hint all is not well with Fabio Capello's talisman.[LNB]However, Carragher has no doubt Rooney will eventually shine brightly.[LNB]"We are just waiting for Wayne to take off," said Carragher. "If he had been banging all sorts of goals in of course we would be delighted but the way I look at it, if Wayne Rooney has gone eight games without a goal there must be one round the corner."[LNB]Carragher can speak with such certainty because he realises the hype that has grown around Rooney is not based on a false assessment.[LNB]From watching him, playing against him and now, training with him, the Liverpool defender can see the ability that has been lauded by so many.[LNB]"Rooney is one of the best players in the world," he said. "He was the top player in the country this season. There are no worries there.[LNB]"I suppose if he had three quiet games at Manchester United he would always have another chance to put it right.[LNB]"With England there is a lot more focus.[LNB]"We didn't create too much in the first game and, as a striker, you can't do it on your own.[LNB]"But he played well against Slovenia. If we keep creating chances I am sure he will put them away because special players produce special moments."[LNB]And while to the outside world it seems as though Rooney is having an internal battle to get the best from himself, Carragher does not see the same thing.[LNB]Having been brought up in the same part of the world, he has a similar mentality.[LNB]And he does not view Rooney's strife as being due to any demons in his head.[LNB]"Wayne won't change," he said. "He is still the same lad from Liverpool. We are all pretty sure we can fight the world and change things. He is no different to anyone else.[LNB]"I don't work with him every day at Manchester United but he just seems normal to me.[LNB]"He is a striker. He would like to get off the mark.[LNB]"You have this with top players. I have been through it with Steven Gerrard at Liverpool, when they go through a little quiet patch people question them.[LNB]"But players who are that good can always produce something different in an instant. Steven is like that and Wayne is just the same."
