Interim England boss Gareth Southgate has reserved praise for Wayne Rooney’s performance in the side’s 2-0 win over Malta, despite the booing of the star.

Rooney led the Three Lions from the start in their World Cup qualifier despite many feeling he does not merit a place in the side given his recent struggle for form with both club and country.

These feelings were exhibited in the booing of the captain at every touch of the ball but Southgate believes fans have been overcritical of Rooney.

‘The criticism of him is at times unfair,’ the England coach told the media, reports the Independent. ‘He ploughs on and plays with pride and captains his country with pride.’

Southgate pointed out that numerous England stars had struggled to make an impact at some point in their career and that Rooney is no exception.

‘I look back to John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole. In their time with England they took an enormous amount of criticism and yet when you look at the number of caps they got they were the guys that kept turning out.

‘They were the ones that really put themselves on the line when some other players would not put themselves forward in those moments and withdrew from squads when the going got tough.’

Indeed, Southgate believes Rooney’s tenacity and commitment to continue for England is what distinguishes him as one the country’s most iconic figures.

‘Those guys are the ones that desperately wanted to play for England again and again and put their neck on the block. I think Wayne falls into that category,’ he concluded.

Rooney has netted just one goal in 10 appearances at club level this season.