Roy Hodgson has labelled Wayne Rooney as an England great as he gets set to achieve a rare milestone.
The 29-year old Manchester United star will make his 100th international appearance when the Three Lions take on Slovenia at Wembley on Saturday and ahead of that great feat, his manager Hodgson has praised his captain who will become the ninth player in England's 100-club.
"Any player who has played 100 times for England - you could probably take the number down to 75 if you wanted - deserves the epithet great," said Hodgson.
"We can debate until the cows come home who's the greatest and what greatness is but the way I understand the word great, anyone who plays 100 times for England is a great player."
Hodgson, who has seen Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard reach 100 games under his guidance, added: "It's quite incredible that under my watch I've been able to congratulate four players on reaching 100 caps for England.
"I'm delighted it's Wayne's turn now but it's very difficult to summarise in a few words what makes someone such a great England player that they can amass 100 caps.
"There's no doubt it's down to his quality and ability as a football player but there's two other qualities that I think are very important and that Wayne personifies."
