Rooney holds hand up

Wayne Rooney claims the players should be blamed for England's Euro 2008 troubles - not manager Steve McClaren.

England are in danger of failing to qualify for next year's finals in Austria and Switzerland following last week's 2-1 defeat in Russia and McClaren's position has come under heavy scrutiny but striker Rooney, who scored England's goal in Moscow, insists the squad should take responsibility.

"Before that Russia game everyone was saying how well the side was playing and how well the manager was doing," roonwy told the Sun. "We're the ones playing the football, we're the ones representing the country and we feel responsible for it."

He added: "Of course everyone was really disappointed to lose -- but one defeat doesn't make you a bad side or him a bad manager. These things happen -- no one's going to win every game.

"Steve's come in and done a great job.

"Everyone in the camp's really happy and the players really feel a sense of responsibility for what's happened."

England, who play Croatia in their final qualifier, will miss out on Euro 2008 if Russia, who have a game in hand, beat Israel and Andorra.