Euro 2012: Capello criticises Rooney show

Capello was unimpressed with Rooney as England were outplayed against Italy in Kiev on Sunday and went out of Euro 2012 in the now-familiar story of a penalty shootout defeat.

Rooney also had a miserable World Cup in South Africa two years ago, when Capello was in charge of the team, but scored 34 goals for Sir Alex Ferguson's side last season and was runner-up to Robin van Persie in the footballer of the year awards, Kazinform has learnt from the Guardian.

"After seeing the latest [England] game, I think Rooney only understands Scottish," Capello said.

The Italian, who resigned as England's manager in February in protest at John Terry being stripped of the captaincy, was then asked to explain his remarks. "He only plays well in Manchester ... where Sir Alex Ferguson speaks Scottish," he replied.

Capello might have had on his mind that Rooney had spoken earlier in the tournament about there being benefits working with an English manager, saying it meant there were "no words lost in translation and we understand what the manager wants from us". That had brought a sharp response from Italo Galbiati, one of Capello's assistants. "He's ungrateful," Galbiati said. "Capello made himself understood and respected."

Rooney scored his first tournament goal since Euro 2004 in the 1-0 defeat of Ukraine that helped England win their group, after missing the first two games because of a red card for kicking a Montenegro player during a qualifying match last October.