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Captain Rooney 'extremely proud' to be in England's top five goalscorers

Following two goals in Friday's routine victory over San Marino, the Manchester United forward is naturally delighted to have edged ahead of the likes of Alan Shearer

England striker Wayne Rooney has moved to become the national team's fifth all-time top goalscorer, thanks to his double in the 2014 World Cup qualifer against minnows San Marino.

Rooney opened the scoring with his 30th strike after Danny Welbeck won the Three Lions a penalty, before notching his 31st international goal in the second half.

The goal places Rooney fifth, behind Bobby Charlton (49), Gary Linekar (48), Jimmy Greaves (44) and Michael Owen (40).

"Obviously it's a great honour for me," Rooney told ITV. "There's some great players there and to be in the England top five goalscorers is something I'm extremely proud of.

"Hopefully there's many more to come, I'm only 26 still. There's a long way to go so hopefully I'll score a lot more.

Rooney's brace was matched by his club team-mate Welbeck, before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain netted England's fifth. In the absence of Steven Gerrard through suspension, Rooney was skipper for the night, and he felt the team could've scored even more.

"We created some good chances and their keeper made some good saves," Rooney added. "Maybe there was a bit of poor finishing, but it's not that easy when they put 10, 11 men behind the ball and defend.

"It's difficult to break them down at times, and we just had to keep the ball moving quick, create chances, and that's positive. And obviously, 5-0 isn't a bad result."

Welbeck's first goal was almost almost a carbon-copy of his Euro 2012 strike against Sweden - a delicate near-post flick - but the striker insists the technique isn't his to patent.

"I don't think [it'll be named after me]," insisted Welbeck. "Once I get into them positions, it's something I try and do to score a goal, and thankfully today it came off.

"In every game I want to score a goal. That was my first of the season, but I've been playing different positions as well and it's all good experience for me. Today, to get off the mark, I'm definitely happy."


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