Everton hero Wayne Rooney was ‘fuming’ with ex-Liverpool legend during his first England camp

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Everton legend Wayne Rooney had an England career that most players would dream of, but it got started with difficulty.

Rooney is considered to be one of England’s greatest players, having shone brightly on the international stage as a teenager.

He was called up to the Three Lions squad during his Everton days after bursting onto the scene for the Toffees with some sensational performances at Goodison Park.

However, there was one slight issue behind the scenes that fans weren’t aware of during his first-ever England camp.

Wayne Rooney was ‘fuming’ his England room featured Kevin Keegan

Rooney was first called up to England’s senior team in February 2003 to be part of a friendly against Australia, becoming England’s youngest senior player at the time.

While that was a positive moment in his career, Rooney was frustrated by the setup at St. George’s Park, as he recalled on The Wayne Rooney Show.

“We’d always have the same room. When I first went in, they had a picture of an ex-England legend up in your room.

“So I walked in and it was Kevin Keegan, so I was fuming. There’s no way I’m going to bed every night with an ex-Liverpool legend picture on my wall.

“So I made them take it down. They took it down, and I went back into my room, and they put one up of myself.”

Keegan played 63 times for England between 1972 and 1982, scoring 21 goals for the Three Lions. However, his Liverpool connection meant that Rooney wasn’t ready to honor that legacy.

Wayne Rooney’s England record makes him a legendary figure

Whether St. George’s Park still features pictures of England legends in the bedrooms is unclear, but if they do, then there’s a good chance that Rooney is now featured.

If he is, he will proudly represent Everton on the wall, with the striker having had an unforgettable career for the Three Lions.

While Rooney was unable to lift any silverware during his time with England, he did become captain, which was a major honor.

During his international career, Rooney played 120 times, second only to Peter Shilton, and scored 53 goals.

Rooney also had the third-longest England career in the team’s history, with only Shilton and Sir Stanley Matthews boasting longer ones.