Wayne Rooney Turned Down Scotland Approach - Berti Vogts

Started by Folami David, Oct 10, 2013, 02:59 PM

Folami David

England striker Wayne Rooney turned down the chance to play for Scotland as a 16-year-old, former national coach Berti Vogts has revealed.
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German Vogts, who managed Scotland between 2002 and 2004, says Rooney qualified for the team because his grandmother is Scottish.
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"I spoke to him - a young lad of 16 years of age. I said to him 'you can play for Scotland'," explained Vogts.
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"You have to speak to the player but he told me 'I'm sorry boss, I'm English'."
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Rooney, 27, made his England debut in February 2003, aged 17, and has scored 36 goals in 84 international appearances.
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Vogts, now in charge of Azerbaijan, made the trip to Merseyside to speak to the teenage Rooney, who was playing under his present Manchester United boss David Moyes at Everton.
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"The Scottish Football Association found the grandmother and I made the call," recalled Vogts.
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"I flew from Glasgow to Everton.
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He was playing under David Moyes at Everton and I spoke to him."
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Explaining Rooney's reaction, the German coach beat his chest theatrically and said: "(Rooney told me) 'I am English, I am English!' OK, sorry.