Jack Wilshere hails "fantastic" Wayne Rooney display

England midfielder Jack Wilshere has claimed that Wayne Rooney was the "best player on the pitch" during Saturday's Euro 2016 ...

England midfielder Jack Wilshere has claimed that Wayne Rooney was the "best player on the pitch" during Saturday's Euro 2016 opener against Russia.

Wayne Rooney

Rooney featured in central midfield for the first time at international level, and earned plaudits for his performance despite England conceding a last-minute equaliser to draw 1-1.

Wilshere, who was limited to just 12 minutes off the bench, was full of praise for the captain and believes that the whole midfield, including Dele Alli and goalscorer Eric Dier, put in an impressive performance.

"I think the midfield were all great, almost faultless. We moved it around - in the past England teams have been accused of panicking on the ball, not keeping the ball. We attacked. If we couldn't go down one side, we came out, we kept the ball and played through midfield. I thought they did well," Wilshere told reporters.

"[Rooney is] fantastic. I watched him towards the end of the season playing for United in that deeper role and people were saying 'can he do it?' I'm sitting there thinking 'he's doing it and he's the best player on the pitch'. He's that type of player who understands the game, he can pick up the ball, is comfortable on the ball and you saw his range of passing as well.

"I've said it before, I think he's our best player and he has been for many years. To have someone like that in the team (is great) because also he can still play up front, in my opinion. He has been dropping into midfield and getting on the ball, which is fantastic."

England will next face Wales in their second Group B match in Lens on Thursday.

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