Rooney confident England can go deep at Euro 2016
England captain Wayne Rooney believes Roy Hodgson's squad can make waves at Euro 2016, but was also drawn into talking of criticism that has been leveled at him in recent weeks on Friday.
The Manchester United forward was accused of being uncomfortably shoehorned into the lineup at the expense of Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy - epitomised when the pair were forced to work out wide and rather ineffectively in June 2's 1-0 friendly win over Portugal.
Ahead of England's opener against Russia on Saturday, Rooney felt impelled to talk up his role for his country.
"I know my qualities. I don't have to defend myself," England's record scorer responded. "I'm aware my game has changed - and changed for the better."
He added: "Our ambition for this tournament is to do as well as we can - and try to win it. We believe we've got the quality to do well."
Hodgson, sat alongside Rooney, did not speak on numerous reports that have suggested Vardy and James Milner will be dropped to the bench following experiments with a midfield diamond. Instead, the veteran gaffer spoke of the anticipation around the team's Chantilly training camp.
Related - Report: Hodgson dumps Vardy from England opener
"We've had a week's training and we feel we're ready. I haven't named the team yet," he said Friday.
"I think we've got qualities, there's no doubt about that. The lack of experience is counter-acted by youth and enthusiasm."
Although he noted the benefits of England naming the second-youngest squad to Germany for Euro 2016, some reporters in attendance weren't particularly impressed with Hodgson's non-committal spiel:
Hodgson hardly Churchillian: "We want to go as far as we possibly can. But you never know what fates are going to be in store for you" #eng
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 10, 2016
Against Russia, England faces a side depleted by significant injuries to the midfield and one unfancied by many to make a decent run in the competition. Hodgson warned against complacency, however, and is desperate to get the Three Lions off to a winning start.
"We have a lot of respect for the Russian team - they are a very good, experienced team," he insisted. "We've got to be more than ready."
England will complete its Group B commitments in a clash with neighbour Wales next Thursday and a meeting with Slovakia in Saint-Etienne on June 20.