Euro 2016: Rio Ferdinand believes Wayne Rooney experience will be crucial for England in France

Former defender says captain deserves respect

Wayne Rooney leaps in celebration after scoring for England against Australia (Getty)

Amid all the excitement surrounding the thrilling, goal-scoring-on-debut, talents of Marcus Rashford, Rio Ferdinand has urged England supporters to not forget the value that the experience of Wayne Rooney will bring to the England squad during the European Championships.

Rashford looks set to win a place in Roy Hodgson’s squad for France after finding the net inside three minutes of his first England start against Australia on Friday night but Rooney is still the main man for Ferdinand. The captain came off the bench against the Aussies and also scored, to give a little reminder of his talents in case the country was getting too wrapped up in Marcus-mania.

“You need experience,” Ferdinand, a veteran of four World Cups with England, said. “Sometimes there’s going to be moments in the tournament - whether it’s on the pitch, on the training pitch or in the hotel - that the other players are going to need someone to look to who will say: ‘this is all right, be comfortable, chill, we’ll get through this’. You need those experienced guys around in the dressing room.”

In the dressing room but not out on the turf as a matter of course. “I don’t necessarily feel like he has to start every game,” Ferdinand, who will be a BBC pundit during the Euros, added. “I just think it’s his presence, being there. Wayne Rooney is the top goalscorer in England history, he’s the captain, I think sometimes the young players need someone there who has experience, you know he’s been there and done it. It’s comforting for young players, sometimes they need that.”

Wayne Rooney celebrates with Jordan Henderson after England's win over Australia (Getty)

Ferdinand wore the England armband himself and has been impressed with how Rooney leads the international team. “It’s been difficult for him at Man United, for obvious reasons - but for England I don’t think he’s really let them down too often. His goals were a big part of getting to these Euros - and, in fact, in getting to the last couple of tournaments, you have to understand and respect that.”

The BBC will provide extensive coverage of Euro 2016 across TV, radio and online from Friday 10th June 2016