Former England captain Wayne Rooney has admitted that he continues to hold a grudge against Wales because of events during Euro 2016. The tournament saw Wales complete a memorable run to the semi-finals, while England suffered a shock defeat to Iceland in their first knockout game. After the full-time whistle, videos emerged online showing the Wales squad celebrating Iceland's victory.
Rooney was part of the Three Lions squad that played in that match, scoring England's goal in the 2-1 loss. The celebrations from the Wales squad are something the former striker has not forgotten.
Speaking on the Wayne Rooney show about Scotland, he said: "I've found a little bit of a soft spot for them. I want them to do well. I know some of the players. My mate Darren Fletcher, his son Tyler, has been called up into the squad." He then added: "I wouldn't say the same about Wales. I always remember the day we got knocked out to Iceland, and the Wales team were watching in the hotel and they're up celebrating. I just thought, they can be happy we got knocked out, no problem. And they're all posting on their social media and I've never forgot that."
While England fell to defeat in their round of 16 game, Wales beat Northern Ireland 1-0 at the same stage. They then defeated Belgium 3-1 in the quarter-finals to set up a semi-final against eventual winners Portugal. Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani within three minutes of each other saw Wales fall to a 2-0 defeat, but that did not stop them from returning home to a hero's reception.
Speaking about the celebrations during the England-Iceland match, former Wales captain Ashley Williams explained that it was in response to the group stage game between the two nations, where England scored a late winner. "We had England in the groups in Euro 2016, we were going back and forward with them in press conferences, especially Gaz [Gareth Bale]," he said. "I'm trying to put fires out left, right and centre, Gaz keeps doing press conferences winding them up, they're having a nibble back. Then they beat us in the 98th minute, or whatever it was, and over-celebrated. Gary Neville - their coach - is running down to the corner flag to celebrate. If we'd have won in the same manner, I'm not saying we wouldn't have done the same thing, but the back and forth goes on with them long after the game."
Williams added: "Half of our squad are born in England - but we're very Welsh. No-one doubted our commitment to Wales. We watched the game against Iceland, and there's a little bit of previous from a couple of weeks ago, but a lot of it was just because it was Iceland. Who didn't love Iceland that year? Apart from England, everyone else loved them."
