Wayne Rooney: ‘I might ask to be a sub more often if that’s the response I get,’ sideline view from the benched England skipper

COLEEN is right, we are not plastic — but the seats on that blooming bench were.

I am bound to get piles now. My bum will soon be as red as my face was. That would just about top my week off.

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Wayne Rooney sits on the England bench next to Jamie Vardy[/caption]

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Rooney trudges off after the 0-0 draw with Slovenia[/caption]

But a bigger pain in the backside for me at the moment is my international future.

I mean, if I am not deemed good enough to get a starting place in an England team as a poor as that, then I must really be c**p.

They handed me the No 18 shirt, which was prophetic — because that was as many minutes as I was given at the end.

I am not used to watching England games from the bench — I usually watch them pass me by from the pitch.

Being one of the subs was a strange feeling.

But Theo Walcott was right, the padded coats are snuggly — and the boys on the bench needed them as it was freezing.

I was stunned by the reaction of England fans when I warmed up before half-time.

“Rooney, Rooney, Rooney” they all chanted. I wondered at first if they were taking the p***.

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Rooney came on as a 73rd minute substitute[/caption]

It was a great feeling after the boos I got at Wembley on Saturday. I might ask to be a sub more often if that is the response I get. Wow.

And Joe Hart’s excellent performance gives me hope that all is not lost.

A couple of months ago his future was uncertain — but last night he was the hero. I have to follow his example. Although I really doubt whether I will ever get a shampoo ad.