World Cup 2014: Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney admits it is time he delivered on the big stage for England
England striker has failed to produce goods since he burst on scene in '04 – a wrong he is desperate to right
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Your support makes all the difference.Wayne Rooney has revealed his desperation to show the globe how good he is in next summer's World Cup, having struggled to make an impact at a major tournament since his brilliant displays at Euro 2004.
After struggling with injuries and suspensions at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, as well as Euro 2012, Rooney was asked how motivated he was to realise his full potential.
"I am very determined," he said. "That is what I have wanted to do in all the other tournaments and it hasn't happened. But I have always been determined. I want to do well and I want to try to help England be successful."
Rooney's best tournament displays for England will be 10 years old next summer, and he is keen to live up to those standards in Brazil. "I think it's my 10th or 11th year playing for England so the obvious goal is to try to be successful and win trophies. That would be the icing on the cake. Hopefully, I still have got time on my side and I can do that."
Rooney was under heavy pressure when not fully fit in 2006 and in 2010, but he joked that England's new generation of youngsters means there is less expectation on him than before.
"The younger players have taken that off me now," he said. "We have got so many exciting players, you look at [Danny] Welbeck, [Daniel] Sturridge, [Andros] Townsend coming in, [Ross] Barkley, [Jack] Wilshere."
Roy Hodgson described Rooney's recent performances as "crowning glories" and "not just good performances but decisive" because of his goals. "He is very settled at the moment," Hodgson added.
The England manager backed some of the Under-21 players to challenge for the World Cup squad, too. "Ravel Morrison interests us, it is fantastic the talent that lad has got. There is a very good group of [Under-21] players. [Saido] Berahino has been a breath of fresh air. It is going to be interesting in the next six months to see which of these Under-21 players really mount a challenge."
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