Wayne Rooney’s efforts for Everton and Manchester United have taken him past 200 Premier League goals, but he is not targeting the all-time record.
The 32-year-old became a double centurion early on in the 2017-18 campaign when he netted against Manchester City.
His haul has since moved on to 208 in English top-flight competition, with that tally including many memorable strikes – including one against Arsenal as a 16-year-old old, an overhead kick in a Manchester derby and an effort from inside his own half this season against West Ham.
Rooney is now edging towards Alan Shearer at the top of the Premier League roll of honour, but the former England captain insists that passing the Newcastle legend – who stands on 260 goals – is not part of his thoughts.
“It’s nice to get into the 200 league goals and join Shearer in that, but it’s not something I’ve really looked at,” Rooney told the Premier League’s official website.
“I try to take each game and each week as it comes and those goals have gradually got more and more.”
Getty ImagesRooney already has several records to his name, as the all-time leading goalscorer for Manchester United and England, but he maintains that personal goals have never been part of his makeup.
He added: “I’ve never really been one to set targets.
“I just continue playing, trying to score goals and help us win games.
“If the goals tally up and reach the next milestone then that’ll be great for me and also for Everton.”
Rooney is one of only two players to have reached 200 goals in Premier League competition, and one of only four to have contributed 100 or more assists – alongside Ryan Giggs, Cesc Fabregas and Frank Lampard.
Chasing down Shearer will take some doing, as he sits 52 efforts short, but a modern day icon has looked sharp for Everton this season and will feel that he still has plenty of football left in him yet.