John Terry: 'Wayne Rooney deserves far more respect'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 11 October 2016

John Terry: 'Rooney deserves more respect'

John Terry describes Wayne Rooney as a "legend" of English football who deserves "more respect" from supporters, days after being jeered by his own fans at Wembley.

Former England international defender John Terry has called on supporters to show captain Wayne Rooney "more respect" after he was recently booed.

The Manchester United ace has been made to pay for his poor form in the early weeks of the season by being dropped to the bench for both club and country.

Rooney will start Tuesday's meeting with Slovenia among the Three Lions' back-up options, having again failed to perform in a deeper midfield position in the 2-0 win over Malta which led to jeers from those in attendance at Wembley.

Terry, who himself skippered his country before calling time on his international career in 2012, has now issued a rallying cry of sorts for supporters to get behind the soon-to-be most-capped player in England's history.

Accompanying a picture of Rooney, Terry wrote on his personal Instagram page: "Wayne Rooney, England's highest record goalscorer in the history of our game. Soon to be the most capped player our great country has ever produced.

"One of the very best players I have seen and had the pleasure playing with in my lifetime and a man who has given everything for England. An absolute LEGEND at Everton, Man Utd, England and world football.

"We should all show more respect to this great player and man. Let's all get behind Wayne and the England team."

Gareth Southgate made the call to leave Rooney out of this evening's starting lineup due to tactical reasons, with Liverpool's Jordan Henderson taking on the role of stand-in captain in Ljubljana.