Before the start of last season, how many people had heard of Wayne Rooney?

Mr and Mrs Rooney - yes. David Moyes and Walter Smith - certainly. But outside Liverpool, or more specifically the Everton side of the city, there were few who knew of the burgeoning talent of the precocious teenager.

The boy Rooney turned man yesterday.

For an 18-year-old he appears to have been around for a very long time.

It seems somehow years since Clive Tyldesley uttered those immortal words "remember the name: Wayne Rooney".

That was on ITV's The Premiership after the 16-year-old had curled a 30-yard shoot beyond the flailing arms of then England goalkeeper David Seaman to give the Toffees a 2-1 win.

Only the most cynical point to the fact that Seaman should have saved it - it was a great strike.

Well most football fans remember the name, and many others whose exposure to the beautiful game fails to extend beyond a five minute watching role for an England international.

And now Turkey remember. Liechtenstein and Macedonia remember. Leeds United and Newcastle United remember.

But who remembers the last time he scored in the Premiership?

That was Charlton away. Again a super strike after a lightning quick turn in the box.

Rooney is aware that he has not been at his best this season.

But talk of a fragile temperament, exposed in a game against Spurs, appear premature.

His manager Moyes is determined to use Rooney sparingly.

But if you're starting regularly for your country and can't command a place in a strictly average Everton side then who wouldn't be frustrated?

Rooney believes his confidence will come flooding back once he grabs his next goal.

Yesterday he took the chance to give his feelings a rare public outing.

''I haven't played as well this season as I can and I haven't scored enough goals but when I score another I'll get my confidence back,'' Rooney told Sky Sports News.

Rooney admits the goal against Arsenal was his ''best moment'' in an Everton shirt.

''Since I've started playing in the first team all the Everton lads have helped me and the manager (David Moyes). I've been a 17-year-old in the team but I felt like one of the lads.''

Rooney's England debut came in the friendly against Australia and he quickly got over any nerves.

''After ten minutes in the warm-up I got used to it. Also I had Francis Jeffers playing in front of me that night which helped me.''

He relished his role in the 2-0 Euro 2004 qualifying defeat of Turkey in the Stadium of Light and also revealed he was grateful to Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard for help and support while on England duty.

The striker continued: ''He (Gerrard) talked to me helped me a lot when we've (England) gone away.''

Rooney even acknowledges that he has let himself down on occasions, notably his sending off at Birmingham last season.

''I've had a few bookings this season for stupid things,'' he said.

''I have coped with all the attention by just trying to get on with my life as normal, and I still feel I have got a lot to do in my career, and I do not think I have changed.

''I'm happy with what I've done for the club and England, so I am now just looking to improve my game for both club and country.

''I know the spotlight is on me, but I don't really take too much notice. I read what is said and sometimes laugh at it all and just get on with and play my football. I'm not interested in anything else.''

It seems refreshing to hear about a well-paid footballer who wants to concentrate on the game.

Let's just hope football is all we remember Rooney for.