England must not increase World Cup pressure on Rooney: Gazza
London | November 27, 2009 5:25:45 PM IST
 

Football legend Paul Gascoigne has asked England not to put too much World Cup pressure on ace striker Wayne Rooney, as the country did with him before his life fell apart.

Gazza became a star at Italia 90, but the hype around 24-year-old Rooney means just as much, if not more, is already expected of the Manchester United striker.

"I was one of the most fortunate players in the world because I was 23 and Peter Beardsley, Bryan Robson and the rest of the team were all in their prime," The Mirror quoted him, as saying.

"The help I got from them was fantastic, and they took the pressure off me so I could go out there and really enjoy it. With Rooney, everyone is expecting him to go out and win the World Cup for England," he said.

Gazza insists, however, that with the right guidance Rooney can become a hit in South Africa.

The former England ace was speaking at Wembley, where he was supporting Newcastle's bid to be a host city if England stage the 2018 World Cup.

"I'm like every England fan, of course I want England to win the World Cup. We have a great squad but playing in the World Cup, it's a case of bottle more than anything else," Gazza said.

"It's about who is available at the time, so touch wood none of the squad gets injured. Some of the players are starting to play brilliantly. Jermain Defoe scoring five goals the other day was fantastic.

"They have done well in qualifying for the World Cup but when you get there it's a different matter. It's completely different, as they found against Brazil the other week, and that's what they will have to face," he added. (ANI)

 

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