Roy Hodgson Defends England Captain Rooney Ahead of the Clash with Wales

Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson praises England captain Rooney for taking on the responsibility of leading his country, as they prepare to face Wales on Thursday.

(Image credit: The Guardian)

“Wayne stormed into the spotlight as a young player. He was instantly made the saviour of English football,” said Hodgson of the England captain. “Sadly, people have been seeing the negative things in him since then. He draws criticism despite good performances. He’s my extension on the pitch. He wanted to take on the task, and carry all the weight.”

The 68-year-old also stressed he had no doubts about the current England captain, but rather it was a decision that Rooney himself had to muster the courage to do. “Things went really well from the beginning. To choose him was extraordinary. It was rather a question he had to pose himself: ‘Are you prepared to take on responsibility?’ As an Englishman, you’re aware that the national team is in the spotlight here.”

(Bet on England at Euro 2016 with online sportsbook Bet365.)

“I hope so (that England can win a major tournament). But, in football, a development takes time,” said the boss as they prepare to take on Wales on Thursday. “You just have to look at Germany. They overhauled their youth system after the elimination at Euro 2000. We were able to see the result in Brazil (World Cup 2014). Germany won the title. I like their style of play. I am impressed how many young players have grown into a unit and also with the talent pool Germany has.”

Online sportsbook Bet365 favours England 1.53 (8/15) to clinch a victory against Wales 7.50 (13/2), while a draw 4.20 (16/5) is the most that the latter can hope for from the match. Join the online sportsbook and place a bet on England at Euro 2016 against Wales on Thursday.

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Harry Kane is the favourite to score against Wales
(Image credit: Sky Sports)

Hodgson is likely to select Harry Kane as the starting striker, who is the favourite to score a goal at “Anytime” 2.20 (6/5) during the 90 minutes of the match, per online sportsbook odds. He scored a whopping 25 goals in the Premier League last season, but is yet to find his form in front of goal for the national side.

Marcus Rashford didn’t make an appearance during the 1-1 draw against Russia last Saturday, but both him and captain Rooney are second favourites 2.37 (11/8) to add their names to the goalscorers sheet at “Anytime”.

Liverpool’s frontman Daniel Sturridge and Leicester’s fearsome striker Jamie Vardy are next on the list with both having odds of 2.50 (6/5), while Tottenham’s Dele Alli and Man City’s Raheem Sterling have been dealt underdog chances 3.40 (12/5) to find the back of the net, per online sportsbook odds. Sturridge has had his ups and downs this season, which make his chances of scoring a goal against the Dragons somewhat limited. But we’re sure that if Vardy were given some minutes by Hodgson during the clash against Wales on Thursday he would make a great impact that could result in a goal; after all he’s just come off from winning the Premier League title with Leicester for whom he bagged an impressive 24 goals in 36 appearances in the English top flight.

The only Welsh player with any chances to getting himself on the scoresheet on Thursday is the world’s most expensive player – Gareth Bale 3.25 (9/4) at “Anytime.” Despite suffering a six-week spell on the sidelines due to injury in the middle of the season, he still managed to score 19 goals in 23 La Liga appearances for his club Real Madrid. And he kicked off Wales’ first international campaign in over 50 years with a flying start, by helping his country seal a 2-1 win over Slovakia last Saturday. He rose to the occasion in the 10th minute of the game by converting a sublime free-kick into the left side of the net. With his fine form at the moment, it’s easy to see why online sportsbooks favour Bale to find the back of the net.

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