Roy Hodgson presents an England shirt with the number 50 to Wayne Rooney.

Wayne Rooney admitted breaking Bobby Charlton’s scoring record for England before the age of 30 was something he "could never have imagined" as the captain completed a half century of goals with a late penalty against Switzerland.

The Manchester United striker was applauded back into the home dressing room by his team-mates, with Roy Hodgson presenting him with a commemorative No50 shirt to mark his feat. Rooney, who will receive a golden boot from Charlton at Wembley next month when England host Estonia in their final home qualifier, gave a short speech in which he encouraged the squad’s younger players to surpass his achievements, with Hodgson confident the striker will now extend his record over the years to come.

"It’s a great feeling," said Rooney. "I’ve been close for the last few games and to have now achieved it is a dream come true. I was bit emotional when the goal went in: it’s a huge honour and one I am extremely proud of. I knew it was a big moment with the penalty so I just picked my corner and put my boot through it to get as much power as possible and make it hard for the goalkeeper. He got a touch but, thankfully, it had too much power.

"To be the record goalscorer before the age of 30 is nothing I could ever have imagined. I went through a spell around 2009-10 when I didn’t score for a year for England, but since Roy’s come in I’ve scored a lot of goals. I’m grateful to Roy for letting me play with the freedom that I enjoy."

"He thanked all the players and staff for everything they have done for him," said Luke Shaw of the captain’s speech. "He said, with all the young players coming up like Harry [Kane], Ross [Barkley] and Raheem [Sterling], that maybe one day they will overtake him, which is a nice thing for him to say."

Charlton, whose scoring record at United is also under threat from Rooney, led the tributes for the forward. "I have always been very proud to hold this record,” said the 1966 World Cup winner. “Playing for my country was always an honour and a privilege and something I did with great pride. I obviously cannot deny that I am disappointed that I now don’t hold this record. However, I am absolutely delighted that it is Wayne, as captain of my beloved club and country, who now holds this record.

"On behalf of myself and everyone at Manchester United I would like to say congratulations Wayne, this is a very proud moment for you and your family. It is a record that I am sure you will hold for a long time, and it is clear to see that you will go on scoring for your club and country for a long time to come."

Hodgson, whose side maintained their pristine record at the top of Group E and have now claimed the section, believes Rooney will break clear at the top of the nation’s scoring chart as he aims to impress at Euro 2016 and the World Cup in Russia in three years’ time. "The one thing I can tell you about it was how proud he was to have achieved that, how determined he is not to stop at 50," the manager added. "If he plays to 2018 at least, we’re talking 20 or 30 more games, so 10 to 15 goals with his rate of scoring.

"It’s a proud moment for him and his family, but he’s not got in his head: ‘How many goals can I score for England?’ He wants to make England a better team, to make sure, like Sir Bobby Charlton, he ends up winning a tournament or at least getting very good results in a tournament. You can’t do much more than be No1. Sir Bobby Charlton is a legend, one of the finest players I ever saw play or will ever see play, and it won’t diminish Sir Bobby’s legendary status because Wayne has one goal more. You can’t make comparisons. We’re talking about two fantastic players, and I’m lucky enough to have one I can pick in the team and still use himrs.

"His maturity has impressed me. The way he has accepted the captaincy. I don’t think it’s surprised me, because I gave it to him, believed in him as a captain and trusted him, but I’m really pleased how he’s taken on that extra burden while still trying to score those goals to take him to No1. The other thing that impresses me is his constant passion, his enthusiasm in training sessions and team meetings. He’s not sitting back thinking: ‘I’m a legend, I’ve got 50 goals.’ He’s there playing like the 19-year-old trying to impress to stay in the team."