Wayne Rooney is one of the best players England has ever produced... now we need other stars to step up to the challenge, says legend Bryan Robson

  • Bryan Robson believes Wayne Rooney is of England's best ever players
  • Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott need to step-up
  • Robson is desperate for other players to follow in Rooney's footsteps 

By Bryan Robson For The Mail On Sunday

Published: 16:30 EST, 13 June 2015 | Updated: 06:31 EST, 14 June 2015

When Wayne Rooney finishes his career in years to come we will regard him as one of the best players England ever produced. The challenge for the England players around him is to follow in his footsteps.

We have had Steven Gerrard, we’ve had some good defenders but Wayne is the one world-class player we have at the moment. He stands out. There’s a lot of talk about the talent and potential of others but really it’s time for Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and the rest to step up. They need to take responsibility for who they are and what they can become and prove themselves on this stage.

We’ve had some good performances in qualifying but we have to be ruthless, finish the job, then go to the European Championships and stand up to the challenge. 

Wayne Rooney is one of the best players England has ever produced, says former skipper Bryan Robson

Wayne Rooney is one of the best players England has ever produced, says former skipper Bryan Robson

These players are going through a period where they need to be mentally stronger, play like they are enjoying pulling the England shirt on and have a confidence to do well in a tournament, because we simply haven’t done that for the last three or four. Only then can we start talking about reaching semi-finals or quarter-finals with any dose of reality.

Frankly, they need to show the determination Wayne had when he was younger.

I remember meeting him when he had just signed for United and Sir Alex Ferguson invited me to training. Wayne was only 18, he wasn’t shy in coming over to ask questions. There was no ‘I know it all I’m OK’ about him, he spoke very politely and had a strong character, which I liked.

Big things are expected of Raheem Sterling but he needs to deal with the pressure of playing for England

Big things are expected of Raheem Sterling but he needs to deal with the pressure of playing for England

I sensed then that he could handle what was to come. When I speak to him now about captaining England and Manchester United he knows what it takes. He’s a winner and he’s driven to succeed.

In Wayne, England’s younger players have a leader who has learned his lessons. He’s the older head now. A man that has the talent but the mentality too. He has always been tough and strong-willed and leads by example. Yes, he has liked a pint or a smoke but he has done it at times that don’t affect his football.

Wayne can stand shoulder to shoulder with any of the England greats and he may even move ahead depending on how he finishes his career.

Arsenal star Theo Walcott will also need to step-up for his country and follow in Rooney's footsteps 

Arsenal star Theo Walcott will also need to step-up for his country and follow in Rooney's footsteps 

Jack Wilshere, who has only just returned for England, was arguably the best player against Ireland

Jack Wilshere, who has only just returned for England, was arguably the best player against Ireland

His appearances, the goals; the records back up his talent. It’s difficult to pinpoint any weakness.

From his Manchester United debut against Fenerbahce, his movement, touch, presence of mind, his workrate; he was a team player. It’s no use coming to United to play for yourself. You can have all the flair you want but you have to show you will work for your team-mates and he had that ethic from the start. Maybe it’s his background and what was instilled at Everton but it was evident from an early stage. He’s even willing to play on through a knock unlike some.

Wayne has more to his game than Alan Shearer or Gary Lineker and Trevor Francis, who were more out-and-out finishers. As a kid, my favourite striker was Wyn Davies because I was a Newcastle fan but when I saw George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law I knew that was the level. Denis was clinical, a striker of great calibre and Wayne compares favourably.

He is only 29 and he must aim to get another World Cup under his belt but he needs support from the players around him to get there and finish his international career the way he deserves.

Robson says that some of England's other stars need to step-up and be as successful as Rooney

Robson says that some of England's other stars need to step-up and be as successful as Rooney

 

Bryan Robson supports the Manchester United Foundation and leads out the United legends against Bayern Munich All Stars at Old Trafford on Sunday. Tickets are on sale from www.manutd.com/legendsareback. For more see www.mufoundation.org. All money raised goes to the Manchester United Foundation.


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