Euro 2016: West Brom's Darren Fletcher is not anti-England
West Brom skipper Darren Fletcher will applaud Roy Hodgson's side if they win Euro 2016 and rejects the old Scottish decision to support 'anybody but England'.
Gutted he's not going to France for this summer's tournament, which starts on Friday, the 32-year-old's team of choice is Northern Ireland because of Baggies team-mate and old friend, Jonny Evans.
He won't be cheering on England specifically, but neither will he be supporting their opponents for the sake of it.
"I was never brought up that way where it was 'anybody but England'," he told The Scotsman. "My wife is English and my kids were born in England.
"I'm not sitting here saying 'I'm an England supporter' but at the same time I'm not going to be hoping they lose when they play.
"If they're the best team in the tournament – and they deserve to win it – then fair play to them and I'll applaud them for that the same as I would any other country."
It's been difficult for Fletcher in recent weeks to watch Albion team-mates James Chester, James McClean, Gareth McAuley, and Evans all gear up for the tournament.
"I must admit, seeing all the lads from Wales and Northern Ireland prepare for the Euros has been hard to take," he said.
"But at the same time I'm pleased for the boys I know. Jonny Evans is a good friend of mine so I'll be supporting Northern Ireland."
Fletcher will be watching the England games with a keen eye, and will be cheering on a particular former team-mate from Manchester United.
"I'd like to see Wayne Rooney show his true ability on the big stage," said the central midfielder.
"He's been very unfortunate until now, going into tournaments injured.
"He's been under a lot of pressure and I know myself, when you're not fully fit and at it it's very hard.
"Wayne has always seemed to have been injured and playing catch-up before tournaments.
" He's always done alright without showing his ability. But anybody I speak to talks about how good he looks in midfield.
"He's controlling games and has goals in him no matter where he plays.
"I think it looks like he's going to play in there for England, which will be different for him but he has the quality to do that and he?could have a fantastic tournament in that unfamiliar position. I wouldn't doubt him doing that."
