Source: SKY_Sports
Rooney sets new targets
Newly crowned England player of the year Wayne Rooney is refusing to rest on his laurels, as he strides for more silverware on both the domestic and international stage.
The Manchester United striker was at his irrepressible best at the weekend as he silenced those who remain sceptical about his temperament with a man of the match display in England's 4-0 friendly victory over Slovakia.
Rooney beat Theo Walcott and Gareth Barry to be crowned 2008's finest England player and while his efforts this season have already helped secure the Carling Cup and World Club Cup for United, his eye is on the bigger prize.
A key lesson he has learnt from his Old Trafford team-mates is never to waste time reflecting on what has been won and instead concentrate attention on the next goal.
Ahead of Wednesday's key World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine, Rooney is doing precisely that.
Hungry for more
"I want to win more trophies, earn more caps and score more goals," Rooney told the Football Association's official website.
"When I finish my career I can look back on those kind of things, but while I'm still playing I don't want to be looking back, I only want to look forward to the achievements I can get in the future.
"After we won the Champions League last season we were thinking about the start of the next season straight away.
"The manager said 'make sure we're ready for next season'. It is something that you have to do. You can enjoy the night when you win trophies but after that you're looking forward to winning them again."
Despite his tender years, Rooney will earn his 50th cap on Wednesday, and it is a bright future he is predicting for the national side.
He is adamant there is a freshness under Fabio Capello which generates plenty of optimism for the current side.
"Since the manager came in the routine has changed and the team started playing a lot better football," he said.
"The main aim was to get wins in qualifying games and we did that, and thankfully I was able to score some goals as well.
"Of course it is every player's aim to win a trophy with England. It is something that hasn't happened in many decades now.
"If we could do that in the next few years I'm sure everyone from the fans, the players and the staff involved would be absolutely delighted."
Well placedEngland are certainly well placed to qualify for South Africa, having won their first four games to top Group Six.
If the Ukraine - the only team Capello's men have yet to encounter - can be brushed aside as well, one foot would be in the finals already with just half the campaign completed.
"We had some great results and performances in our qualifying games last year," reflected Rooney.
"Now we have some important matches coming up and we must not get complacent."
