England interim manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed Wayne Rooney will start Friday’s night’s 2018 World Cup qualifier with Scotland and believes his captain’s vast experience will be vital.
There is set to be a red-hot atmosphere as a sold-out Wembley Stadium hosts the first meeting between the neighbouring nations since November 2014 as England bid to cement their position at the top of Group F.
Rooney scored twice in that game two years ago and Southgate has confirmed the Manchester United forward, who came off the bench in England’s goalless draw with Slovenia last time out, will win his 119th cap from the start.
“Wayne will be captain. He is in a better place than he was for the last get together, in terms of his sharpness and his confidence. There was no hesitation from my point of view to be playing him,” said Southgate.
“He’s played well in his last couple of games for Manchester United. He’s someone who when he is in a rhythm of playing that helps.
“His experience of playing in games like this is important. In a team with lots of energy and potential, we need experienced players around that too.”
Wayne Rooney will win his 119th England cap against Scotland
Southgate confirmed Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson will also start the game and that he has a fully fit compliment of players to choose from.
The former defender himself played against Scotland at Euro ’96 when England won 2-0 at Wembley with a second-half header from Alan Shearer and iconic volley from Paul Gascoigne.
It is a tournament still remembered fondly on these shores as England reached the semi-finals and Southgate has challenged the current squad to write their own chapter in the history books.
“This is a different team from 1996,” he added.
“It’s good to acknowledge the past and have an understanding of that. But we are building a team. “They’re a young team who will get stronger over the next few years.
“For them it’s about making their own history, not what has gone before.
“Famous players before have worn the shirt they are going to be wearing, but they rightly hold that position now.
“Every time you play for England in a fixture like this you have an opportunity to be involved in a game people might remember for years to come, so that’s exciting.
“It’s why you’re in the game – you want to be involved in night’s like this.”
