Wayne Rooney Given England Goal Scoring Record Boost With Euro 2016 Draw

Wayne Rooney has been given a huge boost in his hunt for England‘s goal scoring record, as the Euro 2016 qualifying draw throws up an easy group.

Group E, which Roy Hodgson‘s team has been drawn in, is certainly nothing to get excited about. It’s a fairly easy one for England, with San Marino, Lithuania, Estonia and Slovenia all providing fixtures where the three lions will be stand out favorites. The last drawn was Switzerland and they are the only potential banana skin.

But Manchester United striker Rooney will surely be pleased with the draw, as his desire to break Sir Bobby Charlton‘s all-time scoring record for his country is given a helping hand by these fixtures, where there is a potential to find the net frequently.

Rooney is currently on 38 goals, which although is fifth in the list, is only 11 off of Charlton’s record of 49. With Rooney a regular and 28 years old, you can see why these fixtures are a bonus.

It is rare to San Marino, the second lowest ranked UEFA nation, to suffer a defeat that doesn’t include a major score line. When England traveled to play them in March 2013, they won 8-0.

Hodgson certainly isn’t one to rest players, even when it’s a lower opposition, as he takes all qualifying matches seriously. Rooney only needs to pick up two goals in a couple of those games, and he’ll be eyeing up the goal scoring record quickly. With friendlies to play and tournament football ahead for Rooney too, you would expect him to break that record if he stays away from injury and remains in decent form.

By the time those qualifying matches come around, Rooney may very well have moved up the list, considerably anyway. With the World Cup and friendlies ahead, Rooney is only two off Michael Owen‘s total of 40 and six off Jimmy Greaves‘ 44.