England Put Their Fath in Rooney for Crucial Bulgaria Qualifier*

That was back in June 1999, with a few Manchester United heads probably still throbbing after a round of Treble celebrations.

Teddy Sheringham operated as a withdrawn striker at the Stadium of the Bulgarian Army, a role that United's current No 10, Wayne Rooney, assumes in the latest Euro qualifier at the Vasil Levski National Stadium.

Sheringham could play up top, as a career goal return of 289 in 760 league games handsomely indicates, but he was most effective in the hole. Recalled to the side against Bulgaria, Sheringham was instructed by Kevin Keegan to link midfield and attack, taking the ball from Jamie Redknapp and David Batty and feeding Alan Shearer and Robbie Fowler.

Boldness characterised the game-plan of Keegan, a gamble that didn't really pay off. England's goal in a disappointing 1-1 draw was a Wear-Tyne production when the left wing-back, Michael Gray, angled a ball to Shearer.

Fabio Capello's men certainly cannot afford to drop more points on Friday.

Even if England do overwhelm a weak Wales side at Wembley the following Tuesday, the alarm bells would continue ringing. Unless the Swiss end up doing Capello and company a favour against Montenegro on Oct 11, England may need to win in Podgorica on Oct 7 to avoid the play-offs for Euro 2012. Keegan's men failed, though they successfully negotiated the threat of Scotland before fouling up at Euro 2000.

That is why this Friday is so crucial, why England will settle into a Sofia hotel favoured by everyone from Michel Platini to the Gypsy Kings and give thanks to a certain Scouser. As England again look for a technical talent to break down the opposition, to provide the brains amid the usual Anglo-Saxon brawn, Rooney will adopt a similar role to Sheringham, albeit behind only one front-runner, either Darren Bent or Andy Carroll. Again, Rooney will be pivotal to England's fortunes.

Now is the time to cherish Rooney, to forget finally the falling-out with England fans in Cape Town a year ago. Those 3,000 travelling supporters sweltering in the heat of Vasil Levski's embrace will cheer his name, painfully aware what disaster would befall the team should Rooney be ambushed along Metatarsal Alley again.

The joy stirred by Rooney flows partly from the energy and commitment levels which enable him to perform almost the work of two men, shaping and finishing moves. Such qualities were thrillingly witnessed in his hat-trick and all-round contribution to Sunday's 8-2 demolition of Arsenal by United.

This morning, shortly before 10.30am, he will stride onto the lush training fields of London Colney, a sight to trigger palpitations among any watching Arsenal employees. He might even encounter Jack Wilshere. With the Arsenal midfielder injured, and the influence of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard inevitably tempered by time's unforgiving passage, England lack a creative fulcrum should Rooney ever be absent.

England have never quite trusted those blessed with sumptuous technique. An enjoyable interlude yesterday spent watching old footage of England's meetings with Bulgaria inevitably presented the magical moving pictures of Glenn Hoddle scoring on his senior debut in a European qualifier on Nov 22, 1979. That Wembley goal was a gem, Hoddle meeting Trevor Francis's clever lay-off with a side-footed 20-yarder that sped into the Bulgaria net.

"He's going to be a superstar,'' shouted the commentator. Not in the next game. Hoddle was promptly dropped. "Disappointment is part of football," explained Ron Greenwood.

Hoddle still managed 52 more caps but England never really built around him. They must with Rooney. He has an ability to dovetail with anybody, not least Ashley Young. He is a mix of broadsword and rapier, a playmaker with a phenomenal work-rate. Rooney tracking back, even after 90 sapping minutes, is extraordinary, a testament to
his stamina and desire to help the team.

As well as roaming everywhere, Rooney ensures maximum pain is inflicted on opponents. Sunday's prodigious display took him to 152 in United's all-time goalscoring list, seven shy of eighth-placed Ryan Giggs.

If he maintains this rate, Rooney could conceivably rise to fourth come the season's close, passing such illustrious figures as Giggs, Mark Hughes (163), Joe Spence (168), Dennis Viollet and George Best (both 179).

Still only 25, Rooney could even reel in Jack Rowley (211), Denis Law (237) and Sir Bobby Charlton (249) if smiled on by Lady Luck on the injury front.

Key point. David Herd, who scored 145 times for United in the Sixties, had his career abruptly ended by a broken leg. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have recorded many more than 126 goals if he hadn't been detained so long on the operating table.

Rooney should seize his chances and we should seize this chance to revel in his talent. He still possesses too many raw edges for some tastes, and further indiscretions can never be ruled out, but the concept of maturity seems to have entered his life. A goal in the Vasil Levski National Stadium would further embed Wayne Rooney in the nation's affections.

Memories of 1966 brought to book for Sir Geoff Hurst

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be, so they say, but reminiscing about 1966 is a national obsession that never ebbs. To celebrate Sir Geoff Hurst's 70th birthday on Dec 8, a book is being compiled of fans' anecdotes about the World Cup final, particularly where people were on July 30.

"Did your dad run on the pitch when the whistle blew at Wembley?'' ask the organisers of the book to be presented to Hurst. "Was there a party? Did you put out the flags in celebration? Did you hear Ken Wolstenholme utter those immortal words? Or did you have to be at work while trying to keep up with events on the pitch? By sharing your memories and photographs we can build a picture of the nation on July 30, 1966 as a lasting tribute to a day when the nation united and celebrated with the team that lifted the Jules Rimet trophy."

*The title has been changed by Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency)