Peter Shilton: Rooney should retire from England duty

Former England goalkeeping great Peter Shilton weighed in on the debate surrounding Wayne Rooney's role for the national team, suggesting Rooney should've hung up his boots after Euro 2016.

Rooney was fielded in Sam Allardyce's first XI as England manager in the 1-0 defeat of Slovakia Sunday, although little had changed since the harrowing exit to Iceland. The Manchester United man habitually dropped deep into midfield, leaving Harry Kane to fend for himself in attack.

Shilton, like many Three Lions fans, was at a loss in finding a way the 30-year-old enhances Allardyce's ranks.

"I don't think he's a striker anymore," said Shilton, who won a record 125 caps. "We are trying to fit him in, but he's not a midfield player for me. Never will be.

"He is spraying a few balls around, but I don't think he's being very effective."

While pleasing on the eye, the potency of Rooney's cross-field balls is questionable. A probing pass through the middle would benefit most teams; something the likes of Dele Alli or Ross Barkley - the latter of whom didn't make the cut for Allardyce's maiden squad - could potentially provide.

"I thought he should have retired after the Euros," Shilton continued on the 116-time international. "It's not because he could break my record. Far from it. If he does and he plays well, fine."

Rooney has dubbed the furor surrounding his spot as an "overreaction," and said his contribution helped England snatch a last-gasp winner through Adam Lallana.

"I played in that role and helped us win the game. Too much is getting made about it," Rooney told reporters.

England's qualification campaign for the 2018 World Cup continues on Oct. 8 against Malta, but Rooney's next commitment at club level comes in the visit of hated rival Manchester City Saturday.