Rooney’s a Record Breaker

By Chris Kirwan
October 2 2002

Roy Castle sang “Dedication’s what you need”, and Wayne Rooney had plenty as he became the Blue’s youngest ever goalscorer in helping Everton through to the third round of the Worthington Cup.

A 3-0 victory over Wrexham saw Kevin Campbell maintain his hot scoring streak, and Rooney strike a double. The match also marked the return to first team action for Duncan Ferguson and Scot Gemmill, and a partnership of Joseph Yobo and Li Weifeng at the centre of the defence. David Moyes reflected, "This was a hard game because Wrexham played well. We were not at our best but got the result. Wayne has been anxious in some games but he took his goals well. Hopefully, there will be many more to come” while Wrexham boss Denis Smith said "I was pleased for 80 minutes but the last 10 took the shine off it. We didn't deserve to lose by three goals".

Walter Smith was full of praise for Rooney on Sky’s Soccer Special, saying, “Part of his game contains a little bit of aggression as well. He’s not short in most aspects; a lot of kids come in and have ability but just lack a little something. That's not the case with Wayne. Most importantly he can score, he can link up, and he can make goals as well as take them. He possesses the ability to beat a man, and his pace can carry him to get into good situations. The lad will go far - I don’t think there’s any doubt about that". But Smith also warned, “Wayne has real ability and like all young players as long as he can keep his feet on the ground and continue with his career, he’ll go all the way.“

The propaganda surrounding Rooney is reminiscent of when Dixie Dean arrived at Goodison and the Liverpool Daily Post had to plea for fans not to get too excited, printing, “Everton once had another boy on their books who started well but eventually fell through the frailty of human nature and the sickly adulation of the crowd…It is also up to the crowd not to make a ‘god’ of Dean. He is very human and has many boy-like touches. It is not so much what he has done but the way he has done it. He is a natural footballer with a stout heart, a willing pair of feet and constitution that will stand him in good stead”. Of course by making such a comparison I am adding to the hype, but as Bill Kenwright pointed out it is very hard not to get carried away.

Meanwhile, David Weir has issued an official statement on his international retirement telling www.evertonfc.tv, “I have decided not to make myself available for selection for the Scottish national team for the foreseeable future. My reasons for making this decision have been fully explained in a letter I have written to the SFA. However, I will, of course continue to wish the team all the very best for the future".