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Wayne Rooney says England will not focus on Wales superstar Gareth Bale

By Paul Vinnell

Sunday 12 June 2016 19:11, UK

Wales' forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Euro 2016 group B football match between Wales and Slovakia at the Stade de B
Image: Wales' forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring the first goal against Slovakia

Wayne Rooney insists England will not focus on Gareth Bale's threat when they look to bounce back in Euro 2016 against Wales on Thursday.

England were stunned by a late equaliser by Russia in Marseille in their opening Group B match. Centre-back Gary Cahill called the 1-1 result "a kick in the teeth".

A young England side looked to be heading for victory at the Stade Velodrome when Tottenham's Eric Dier beat Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev with a superb 25-yard free kick.

But three minutes from the final whistle, Russia captain Igor Berezutski stunned the stadium when he rose above the England defence to send a looping header over goalkeeper Joe Hart.

BORDEAUX, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Gareth Bale of Wales celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Wales and Slovak
Image: Bale will not be 'double-teamed' says Wayne Rooney

Two years after their first-round exit from the 2014 World Cup, England will now have to bounce back against a Welsh side that beat Slovakia 2-1 earlier in the day.

Real Madrid star Bale also scored a stunning strike in the win. Fresh from helping the Spanish giants to Champions League victory, he is expected to be the danger man when the sides meet in Lens.

Image: Rooney battles for possession against Russia

Manchester United veteran Rooney labelled Bale as "one of the top five players" in the world, but said England will not concentrate on the Welsh winger.

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"We have to stop other players, you can't just focus on Gareth Bale. We're not going to double team him," said Rooney.

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Eric Dier of England scores his team's first goal from a free kick during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between England an
Image: Eric Dier scores his David Beckham-esque free-kick

"We have to just think about the next game, and playing the same way we did tonight, on Thursday."

Man-of-the-match Dier admitted watching David Beckham over the years had inspired him to perfect his dead ball technique.

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England conceded a stoppage time goal to Russia to draw their opening match of Euro 2016

"Obviously he was one of the best at it," said Dier. "I've seen lots of his free kicks and it's something I like doing and have practised a lot."

Cente-back Cahill said he believed England can bounce back against Wales and Slovakia.

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Eric Dier of England celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between England and Rus
Image: Dier celebrates scoring his goal

"I can't help thinking we should all be celebrating victory but we got a kick in the teeth at the end which has made the mood after not great," said the Chelsea defender.

"We wanted to get off to a winning start but if we bring that level of confidence and performance in the next two games, we'll be fine."

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