Classy Rooney is ready

GARETH Southgate (below) believes Wayne Rooney is perfect for England's mouthwatering clash with Scotland, backing his captain to prove that "class is permanent".

Wembley will play host the 113th clash of the Auld Enemies tonight at a time of transition for both countries, with Gordon Strachan's side needing to kick-start their World Cup qualifying campaign as the interim Three Lions boss looks to end a turbulent year on a high.

Southgate's determination to beat Scotland has seen him put his long-term future on the back-burner, saying maybe he is "Buddhist in some way" as he does not think you can "force what the pathway is".

Rooney has seemingly changed direction, though, having spent much of the last seven weeks on Manchester United's bench and been dropped by England in Slovenia.

"I think he will play well," the interim manager said. "He doesn't have anything to prove to me. He is a big-game player with big-match experience and I think a night like this is perfect for him."

Rooney's 119th cap follows him ending an 81-day goal drought at Fenerbahce last week, before then putting in an impressive display as Swansea were beaten 3-1 on Sunday.

It was Rooney's first league start since performing so badly in a defeat at Watford on September 18.