England Find Their Perfect Formula with Wayne Rooney as Striker

It's pretty hard to sugar-coat the fact that in recent years, there has been a lot to grumble and moan about when it comes to England.

Tactical decisions, selection policies and even the quality of the manager have all been major talking points, right up to (and including) the World Cup in Brazil earlier this year.

But with six wins in succession for Roy Hodgson's men following a dismal World Cup, there is a sense of the glass being half full at the moment, instead of half empty.

The win against Slovenia kept them well on track in terms of qualification for Euro 2016, but it was the win against Scotland on Tuesday night that perhaps presented more answers than questions. In terms of an England performance, that is something that doesn't happen too often.

Nathaniel Clyne's fantastic performance at right-back has put him in pole position for a lengthy crack at that role, at the very least. However, it was the performance of the captain which again grabbed the eye.

Wayne Rooney's two goals at Celtic Park moved him to within three of Bobby Charlton's long-standing goal record, but there was much more to his performance than goals. And when you look back at all those aforementioned grumbles and moans from recent years, many of them have been based around Rooney's performances.

There's been a general assumption over the years that he merely doesn't replicate his form at club level in an England shirt. However, there's a heavy argument to suggest most of that has been down to his position in the side.

It's happened at Manchester United, too, let's not forget that in a hurry. But Tuesday night confirmed to everyone that if Wayne Rooney is be a pivotal figure for England, he must be played as a central striker. Not on the left, not on the right. Not even in a No. 10 role behind the striker.

This is the time Roy Hodgson must take the bull by the horns and start to truly build a team around Rooney and his talents. With plenty of young talent in midfield, using Rooney as a striker seems like the only logical step England can make with their captain moving forward.

Against the Scots, Rooney was highly effective in that lone striker role, holding the ball up superbly and effectively bringing the midfield into play. As impressive as Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge have been in an England shirt over the last 12 months, they can't do that role like Rooney.

There's a case for England to go with an out-and-out two upfront, like they did in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland. That night, both Rooney and Welbeck were excellent playing just ahead of a midfield diamond, but it's unclear if Hodgson sees that as his best formation.

From an England perspective, it would be great to see Rooney now continue in his attacking role for Manchester United, although given the wealth of talent Louis van Gaal has at his disposal, that is unlikely to be the case.

However, if England are to be even a remote threat at the European Championships in two years' time, they have to go into the tournament with a clear plan for their captain. Tuesday night was only the start, but it looks like England have finally worked out how to effectively field their skipper.