Right behind you: John Terry is confident Wayne Rooney will keep his cool when the World Cup kicks-offWayne Rooney's volatile temper is an inspiration for England not a timebomb which threatens to blow their World Cup chances, according to two senior team-mates.
Rooney blew a fuse in a practice match on Monday, when he was booked for swearing at the South African referee, who later warned him such language will result in a red card once the tournament starts.
The England striker's last appearance in the World Cup finals ended in shame, when he was dismissed for stamping on Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho in the quarter-final defeat but John Terry and Rio Ferdinand believe he has matured greatly since then.
'Wayne is experienced now,' said Manchester United team-mate Ferdinand.
'His disciplinary record has been magnificent over the last couple of years. Since the incident in Germany I think he has done so well to get to where he is now.
'He has played one game, I am sure he's had a lot worse from referees in Premier League games, but being here it is magnified because of the World Cup.
Roo've been warned: Rooney launched into a foul-mouth tirade at the referee on Monday'You have to realise it was a practice match, it wasn't an official match. We were there to learn and play some football and become more of a team again. I don't see Wayne having a disciplinary problem at all at the World Cup.'
Rooney was pumped up when Fabio Capello sent him on for the second half against South African Premier League side Platinum Stars and hungry to answer the manager's call for greater commitment after an insipid first 45 minutes.
The 24-year-old striker stormed out, charging into tackles and arguing with referee Jeff Selogilwe when things did not go his way.
'I honestly do feel he's grown up a lot in the last two or three years,' said Terry.
'Wayne gave everyone a lift in the second half. We could have done with him on the pitch in the first half and it would have given everyone a kick up the backside.
'I was a little bit nervous when he gave the ball away and went
In it to win it: Terry believes Rooney's rage and will to succeed is an inspiration, not a timebomb'He was not too pleased with the way the first half went. We worked all week about pressing and not letting people turn and get time on the ball and we did not do that.
'He came out after us and stressed to the other lads in the second half to get in and get tight to people which is what they did.
'Hopefully he was pleased with the second half because he was not with the first and that's understandable. He is a winner and even in training he can go like that from nothing.
source: dailymail
