“He’s one of the best managers in the world”, Rooney said at a press conference ahead of England’s friendly with Portugal tonight.
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England captain Wayne Rooney has been taken aback by Marcus Rashford’s attitude and aptitude since bursting onto the scene, and believes the 18-year-old can bring the fear factor to defences at Euro 2016.
Rashford, 18, scored on his worldwide debut in the 2-1 friendly victory over Australia on Friday.
“Of course he [Ronaldo] has been an unbelievably influential figure for all the clubs he has played for and Portugal as well, and we were thinking that Gareth Bale is in a somewhat similar position”, Hodgson said.
Drinkwater and Townsend said goodbye to everyone involved before leaving the England camp and will not be on standby for the tournament. “Now I’m excited and proud to lead these players into the tournament, and I really believe we’ve got a good enough squad to do well”.
“I was very happy with the 26, I was delighted with the way the three guys who didn’t get selected for the final 23 worked and yesterday was a hard day for me having to tell them they weren’t going to be in the final 23”. There they will prepare for another friendly matchup, this time against Portugal. He works so unselfishly for the team, I think he may be a big miss for the England squad.
“But there’s also a lot of experience in the squad as well, players like Wayne (Rooney), Gary Cahill, Joe Hart, who have been to tournaments before”.
Meanwhile, Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand missed training once again through injury, but Hodgson expects him to be in contention for England’s opening Euro 2016 fixture against Russian Federation.
“We need great mobility and great running power to defend in that way”.
In the Euro 2016 qualifying, Ronaldo scored five of the team’s eleven goals which makes – due to his absence – a shutout very possible The odds that Portugal will not score without Crisriano Ronaldo are 2.10.
“If you’re going to a Euros, you’re going there to win it, because what’s the point if not?”
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However, the England boss was keeping his cards close to his chest about the team who will start at the Euros – they face Russian Federation on the 12th June.
