Capello: Rooney only understands Scottish

Fabio Capello has delivered a withering verdict on Wayne Rooney’s displays for England during Euro 2012 with a heavily-loaded comment asking whether the striker “only understands Scottish”.

The former England manager is upset and angry at Rooney’s own statements about how it was better that Roy Hodgson was now in charge because there were no longer any communication problems and there were “no words lost in translation”.

Capello was indulgent of the 26-year-old striker during his four years as England manager but voiced his annoyance to the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport in comments made to the news agency ANSA.

Rooney had a poor campaign and was also poor at the last World Cup Finals, under Capello, but then scored 34 goals for Manchester United last season. This led to Capello questioning his commitment for country as opposed to his club, managed by Scot Sir Alex Ferguson.

“After seeing the latest (England) game, I think Rooney only understands Scottish,” Capello said when asked to comment on England’s penalty shoot-out quarter-final loss to Italy.

When asked to explain his remarks, and while saying that Italy played a “great match” Capello added cuttingly: “He only plays well in Manchester where Sir Alex Ferguson speaks Scottish.”