Wayne Rooney: No mention of goal record with Sir Bobby

Friday 27 Mar 2015
Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton talk regularly

Wayne Rooney is closing in on the all-time England goalscoring record, but has revealed he dare not talk about it to the Three Lions current leading scorer. 

With 46 goals, the Manchester United captain is just three behind Sir Bobby Charlton's haul for his country. 

England v Lithuania

European Qualifier
7.45pm, Friday 27 March 2015
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Live on ITV

But he says, despite getting regular advice from the Old Trafford and England legend, he has not been able to mention his next personal target. 

"I speak to him quite regularly at the club especially after games," said the England skipper. "I don't want to bring [the record] up! 

"He's a great for Manchester United and England. I don't want to bring it up and say 'I'm close to beating it'." 

Rooney continued: "He always gives me great advice and I have great chats with him. 

"He comes in and speaks about the game. I speak to him about my game, certainly, when I was playing midfield. 

"He was an attacking midfielder so he spoke to me a lot about my role there. He knows the game well and he gave me some advice." 

Wayne Rooney celebrates as he puts England 2-0 up

Rooney celebrates against Scotland in November

However, although he is only three goals behind Sir Bobby's 45-year-old record, Rooney only has one thing on his mind. 

England take on Lithuania on Friday night as they continue their European Qualifying campaign. 

Victory would set another record – the first Three Lions team to start a season with seven consecutive victories. 

England's top five scorers

Bobby Charlton: 49 goals, 106 caps
Gary Lineker: 48 goals, 80 caps
Wayne Rooney: 46 goals, 101 caps
Jimmy Greaves: 44 goals, 57 caps
Michael Owen: 40 goals, 89 caps

Roy Hodgson's men then head to Turin on Tuesday where they will face Italy, and Rooney wants to help his team keep their winning run going for as long as possible. 

"[The goal record] is close but it is important I focus on getting the three points on Friday," said Rooney. 

"It would be great if I could equal or beat the record but my concentration is 100 per cent on getting victories on Friday and Tuesday. 

"It will be a fantastic moment for myself, a proud moment if I can do that. Hopefully one day it will happen, and sooner rather than later." 

By Jamie Bradbury FA Editor