5 ways Wayne Rooney could react to being dropped

Rooney could certainly opt to quit, but the timing of such a course of action would be ill-advised. Being dropped and deciding to depart after being booed then omitted for one match would not be the best. Especially when you are only eight caps short of Peter Shilton's all-time record of 125, and were planning to continue until the World Cup finals in Russia.

At the age of 30, Rooney would be viewed as immature and a figure willing to put personal pride before country if he quit, projecting the image that he is beyond being dropped despite Alan Shearer suggesting the time is right now to depart the scene.

Even though he is said to be shocked and upset at being subjected to boos by some fans during the 2-0 win over Malta at Wembley on Saturday, it would be wise to hold off on sticking two fingers up at your detractors.

At least until you can take time to ponder what has gone on.

Be the bigger man. If Rooney remains committed to winding up with England after the 2018 World Cup, assuming the national side qualify, he could forget about his recent travails and say he will make himself available to England whether he is in the team or not. Whether that be as a midfielder, forward or substitute.

Gareth Southgate or any new England coach would probably welcome such an attitude from such a senior figure.

Not only would Rooney make himself look professional, patriotic and positive, he would also relieve the strain on an England coach who has to cope with the conundrum of trying to shoehorn Wazza into his starting line-up simply because that has been the tradition for the past 13 years.

Rooney could keep a low profile, and focus on restoring himself to the Manchester United side before England reconvene for their fourth World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Wembley on November 11.

He could secretly hope Southgate is not given the job on a permanent basis when his four-game run is up, and live in hope that a new manager, perhaps Roberto Mancini, looks more favourably upon his wares than big Gareth. Or the 'Special One' when you think about it.

And just think, all this might not have been an issue if Big Sam hadn’t gone for that fateful meal and pint of vino with those pesky hacks from the Daily Telegraph a few weeks back.

Gareth Southgate has said he isn’t afraid to make the big decisions. So why not focus on giving him another one by trying to catapult yourself into Jose Mourinho’s plans as a striker, the position he originally thought you were best at..

Perhaps he no longer has the pace to run away from defenders, but his reactions in the penalty box surely remain a better case for inclusion than attempting to pick short passes in overcrowded midfields.

If Rooney can come up with more goals inside the box, and work hard to improve those elements of his game, he could feasibly become a sort of Alan Shearer figure for the last two years of his England career.

Nobody says you can’t reinvent yourself up front if you are not viewed as a regular starter playing out of midfield. Proving your critics wrong is never a bad thing. Getting back to basics as a forward with goals should be the priority.

This is the nuclear option really, and one that would be great for the media, but would be a farcical way to go.

It would also damage a legacy that deserves a grander ending.

Rooney has always had a tetchy relationship with England fans when you recall his outburst at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when he said: "nice to see your own fans booing" after a 0-0 draw with Algeria.

But the boos are actually a backhanded compliment. More is expected of Rooney because he has been such an outstanding figure for England. The country's all-time leading scorer with 53 goals from his 117 games, he is arguably the finest player to represent the Three Lions.

Form is temporary, class is permanent. Rooney’s current predicament may be a mere blip on the road to a glorious finale in Russia. Or it may not. But Rooney deserves to end his England career respected like Sir Bobby Charlton. Gary Lineker or Shearer. Not Franny Jeffers. Or Big Sam.

While he may not start every game, he has earned the right to go out on his own terms.