New Delhi: Veteran English footballer Wayne Rooney said that if England goes far in the tournament, all the credit for it would go to their star striker Harry Kane. Kane will be captaining the team in their FIFA World Cup 2022 Group B opener against Iran.
Kane, who won the Golden Boot for scoring six goals as England reached the semi-finals, where they lost to Croatia, in 2018 World Cup in Russia, is currently at 51 goals from 75 appearances for England.
Kane, with two goals more will surpass Rooney's record of 53 International goals. Many including the legend expects that he will cross the mark in the match against Iran.
"He is a goal-scorer. If England goes far in this tournament, it is going to be because of Harry Kane. I hope he scores those goals because England needs them if they have to win. I hope he does, but I do not think it will be tomorrow (Monday)," said Rooney on the VISA Match Centre show on Sports 18.
Asked who he would start, bench and drop between Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney suggested he would drop the Portuguese, his former club teammate. "I would start Messi, bench Kane and drop Ronaldo because he stopped playing for his club."
Speaking further about England's match against Iran, Rooney singled out Phil Foden as the 'X' factor. "I think with his ability, he is never quite short of form. If he brings the form he has shown for Manchester City for England, it gives England an extra dimension to move ahead."
Earlier, as reported by Xinhua, Kane had himself said ahead of England's tournament opener that he would hope to break Rooney's record as soon as possible.
"Hopefully I'll break it as soon as possible. I know it's there and I know people will talk about it, but I like to just focus on my game. I know that with the team we have, we will create chances and I just need to be ready for the ones that come my way." Kane said.
-IANS Inputs