England coach Roy Hodgson says the public profile of Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is nothing like his true persona.

Hodgson has been amazed that Rooney's past image as an ­unintelligent hot-head was so far off the mark.

This struck the coach earlier in the year when he and some ­members of the national team ­visited Auschwitz, the site of the biggest mass murder ever carried out, before playing Poland in a ­Euro 2014 qualifying game.

"Wayne was incredibly moved by the experience," recalled Hodgson. "At one point Joe Hart put his hand on his shoulder and asked him if he was alright.

"I wasn't surprised because since getting to know Wayne I know how different he is to the public ­perception.

"Many football players have a reputation that is far different to the reputation they deserve. He is one of them.

"My concern was that he was going to be too moved. That the ­experience would give him - and others - nightmares and they wouldn't be strong enough to take it. Luckily that wasn't the case."