Wayne Rooney has lashed out at his old team-mate Paul Scholes, claiming he has no right to criticise him.
The England star said Scholes – who suggested the striker’s best days may be behind him, and questioned whether Roy Hodgson had the “balls” to drop him – has been away too long to have a valid opinion.
Rooney hit back: “He (Scholes) has been a team-mate but he’s been away from the first team for a long time.
“I’ve seen a lot of you [the press] saying he’s coached me and been around the team but he hasn’t. I’m not really going to react. I’m not interested.
“He’s got his opinions, so let’s leave it at that. To be honest, I’m not really interested in what anyone else has got to say.
“I’m interested in what Roy Hodgson and the coaching staff here and the people around me say. People have their opinions, but I don’t agree with them.”
It was a stinging rebuke from Rooney, who was clearly still smarting when asked about his former team-mate’s damning attack.
Rooney also insisted he is now fully fit and proved he is ready to play in the World Cup after scoring against Ecuador in England’s penultimate friendly before the World Cup.
He was forced to play on the left wing against Ecuador, but claimed he would have no problem doing that in Brazil. Rooney said: “I’m ready to play. I could play against Italy tomorrow. I’m sure the manager will have a tough decision, but I’m ready.
“I’ve trained hard and had no injuries or recurrence of the groin strain I had at the end of the season. I always would have needed game time, such as the first game at Wembley and against Ecuador. I felt really good, especially in the heat.
“I can play in different positions. I’ve proved that over the years.”
Source: Mirror