Wayne Rooney: England must be ‘ruthless’ against Iceland
:focal(136x152:138x150)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2015/11/13/1731704-36632322-310-310.png)
Updated 23/06/2016 at 18:23 GMT
England captain Wayne Rooney has urged his team-mates to be “ruthless” when they face Iceland in the last 16 at Euro 2016 on Monday evening.
England's Wayne Rooney attends a news conference
Image credit: Reuters
Despite boasting a plethora of attacking talent, England misfired in front of goal as a 0-0 draw with Slovakia ensured they finished second in Group B and plunged them into a supposedly trickier half of the draw.
England’s potential path to the final features potential clashes with France and Germany, but Rooney insisted Iceland are the main priority.
"We need to play at a high tempo," Rooney said. "It's a great story for them, but we have to be ruthless and try to punish them."
Tournament debutants Iceland took second spot in Group F after a dramatic 2-1 win over Austria on Wednesday.
[MATCH REPORT: Iceland grab last-gasp winner against Austria]
"I've seen them a while ago when they played Holland and they were organised and difficult to break down," Rooney added.
Whether they sit back or have a go, it's the business end and we have to be more ruthless.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2016/06/23/1882574-39647422-2560-1440.jpeg)
Rooney backs Hodgson’s decision to rest him
'Not fussed Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland qualified'
Rooney also dismissed talk he was partly cheering on Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, insisting he was "not bothered" they had also qualified.
Wales pipped England in Group B, while Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland snuck through in two of the four third-place spots.
"For us we're happy England are through," said Rooney. "Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are competitors to us.
So I'm not bothered if they're through or not to be honest.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2016/06/23/1882134-39639275-2560-1440.jpg)
Republic of Ireland fans celebrate at the end of the match
Image credit: Reuters
'It won’t be an easy game'
Roy Hodgson predicted another possession-heavy performance in Nice, similar to the encounters England have toiled in already.
"Since they [Iceland] have been here they've had some remarkable successes so we know it won't be an easy game," Hodgson told the Football Association website.
I fear it won't differ enormously from our group games because Iceland aren't an expansive team.
"I know the coach Lars Lagerback very well and he always prepares his teams extremely well in that way, so I don't think we're going to benefit from lots and lots of space in the game.
"You take what you get in the last 16 and we're just pleased to be there, so we need to make sure we do enough preparation for the game."
Scan me
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement