Striker Wayne Rooney has become his country's most exciting prospect for a decade after two seasons with Everton, scoring his first English premier league goal as a 16-year-old and later setting records as England's youngest player and youngest scorer.

Rooney, 18, played down the impact of the media spotlight and offered an insight into his rise from playing football on the streets of Liverpool.

"I think any 18-year-old in the world would swap for what I'm doing now," said Rooney.

"It's no pressure really going out playing for your country. There are a lot worse things you could be doing."

Talking about Euro 2004, in which England face holders France, Switzerland and Croatia in Group B, Rooney said: "It's a challenge for everybody in the team. We've just have to be strong and stick together.

"Obviously there are expectations on us to do well in the tournament but I think we've got the squad to go out there and win it."

Though Rooney's talent is undeniable, question marks have been raised over whether he can cope with stardom and also keep a lid on the aggression which is part of his game.

Asked about the pressures of success, Rooney said: "You've got to be sensible.

"I've got good people around me. I've got a good family, I have my girlfriend and they're all there to help. You've just got to take their advice and be focused yourself."

Rooney swung an arm out in frustration during the 1-1 friendly draw with Japan, prompting concerns that his temper could yet be his undoing at Euro 2004.

"I've seen what's been written in the papers, but my temperament is a big part of my game," he said.

"I think if there's a tackle to be won I'm going to go for it and if I get booked so be it. But I'm not going to pull out of a tackle because I'm worried about getting a yellow card.

"Obviously I don't want to get any silly bookings, but if I get booked for a tackle there's nothing I can do about it."

Despite his age, Rooney has fitted in well with the England squad, particularly after a dazzling piece of skill in training before his first start in last year's 2-0 qualifying win over Turkey.

"I managed to get the ball through a few players and chip the goalie," he recalled. "It was one of my first sessions, so all the players looked at me and just started clapping. I was made up.

"Obviously there's a big difference between club and country football, but since I've been in the squad all the lads have been brilliant with me and helped me along."

Another help has been that Rooney was already used to playing with team mates of a different age.

"I've been at Everton since I was nine," he said. "When I was about 13, I got moved up a group and ever since then I've played with people older than myself."

Such was his obsession with the game, Rooney used to come home from a match as a boy and relax by going straight out to play more football with friends in the street.

"Now I've got my own house, I've moved far away and I don't really see my mates as much," he reflected. "I've had to mature a lot quicker than normal 18-year-olds."