'I never thought about playing for Ireland' says Rooney

Wayne Rooney revealed he was once asked to play for Ireland, but says he only ever wanted to pull on the Three Lions jersey.

Skipper Rooney and his England team-mates are in Dublin for their first meeting with Ireland for 20 years.

And the Manchester United forward – whose grandparents were born in Ireland – admitted an old Everton team-mate was keen to see him in former boss Mick McCarthy's team.

“I've never thought about playing for Ireland." said Rooney. "I was born in England, I'm English.

"Lee Carsley, when I was at Everton, asked me about it [on behalf of Mick McCarthy] but it never crossed my mind.

"[I have] Irish grandparents, so if they wanted to play for Ireland I'm sure they could have. It was never something I thought about.”

Rooney clearly loves his country and was handed the England captain's armband by manager Roy Hodgson at this start of the season, following the retirement of Steven Gerrard.

In that time, the Three Lions have gone unbeaten, winning seven games and drawing one.

Rooney is relaxed as he walks around the Aviva Stadium

Now, the 29-year-old who has 103 international caps and 47 goals, wants to finish the season off in style with wins over Martin O'Neill's side, and Slovenia in a European Qualifier next weekend.

“It'll be a good experience, a great atmosphere, and a tough game," said Rooney as he looked ahead to the encounter at the Aviva Stadium.

"I'm sure the Irish will make it a tough day for us, but we have to cope with that. The preparations we've done will make sure we will.”

He added: “I've really enjoyed the last year, certainly, at international level.

"Playing the games, scoring goals and enjoying that even more. On a personal level it's been a good year for me, and I want to end it well and kick on next year.”