Wayne Rooney admits club rivalries did get in the way of success for England’s ‘golden generation’ but disagrees with Steven Gerrard’s suggestion that they were “egotistical losers”.

Earlier this week, former Three Lions team-mate Steven Gerrard said the egos of England’s players stopped them from achieving success.

Rooney disagrees with Gerrard on England comments

But Rooney, who scored 53 goals in 120 England appearances, said he “had no issues” with the other players and believed the team still worked hard for each other but just could not “get over the line” in major tournaments. On his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, he said:

On Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, Gerrard also admitted he “hated” England duty due to being in the hotel for long periods of time. Rooney also agreed with Gerrard that it was tough at times.

He added: “I seen his comments about going up and having like seven hours in his room and stuff. That was tough at times because you’re just lying in bed and watching TV and have food and then go to sleep so a few players did that.

“I tried to keep myself busy, I’d be always in the hotel, I’d been in the massage room, the physio room trying to keep yourself busy.”