Sign me up for the Wayne Rooney fan club. I haven't seen him play much but talk of him has spread like wildfire around England and everyone has had something positive to say about the way he plays.

They have spoken about him with a sense of awe and last night I saw why for myself.

England 2 Turkey 0 and what a game it was. Darius Vassell and David Beckham may have got the goals but it was 17-year-old Everton striker Rooney who lit up the Stadium of Light.

I think his club manager, David Moyes, is going to have trouble resting him now - people are going to be demanding that he starts every game.

He has tried to protect him in the past but surely now Moyes has to unleash him - after all Rooney has joined the big boys!

England came in for a lot of criticism after Saturday's disappointing performance in the 2-0 win over the minnows of Liechtenstein and many people were calling for Rooney to be given his full debut against the Turks.

I think England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson felt he could not lose by playing him last night. If he stuck with Liverpool striker Michael Owen's regular partners he would have been crucified had they not won. Had they won and Rooney not played some would have said 'why did you not give him a chance?'.

As it turned out it looks like a masterstroke.

What I liked most about Rooney, speaking as a fellow centre forward, was his awareness.

In games for Everton he has looked tired on occasions, but last night he looked full of energy and came across as very experienced, leading the line well, holding the ball up - it would be hard to find fault with him.

Sometimes you can make your debut and the game can pass you by because you are so nervous. Certainly in the first half, it seemed to be a walk in the park for him.

The fact it was such a big and important game seemed to have no effect on him at all.

Now that he's played at that level he will relish the chance the next time it comes along.

But last night wasn't just the Wayne Rooney show - it was an all-round team performance that led to the victory - though there are some players whose performances will undoubtedly be overlooked because of the way the youngster played.

Southampton's Wayne Bridge, I thought, had a good game and Arsenal centre back Sol Campbell was a rock as usual and helped breed confidence in Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United. In the opening minutes I was worried that Turkey might find a way through via Ferdinand but as the game wore on he looked more and more assured. It was also his shot that led to the opening goal.

He did really well, especially the way the ball came across to him. He could have easily mis-hit it and watched as the ball went over or wide but he hit the target and although the 'keeper saved it it enabled Darius Vassell to pounce.

England, for me, are always at their best when in a situation like they were last night - playing against quality opposition. Some people might have questioned whether they could get a result after the Liechtenstein game, but for me that's when you tend to see the best of England, when their backs are up against the wall.

They are now top of their group and if Rooney continues to play as well as he did last night then the future has to be bright.