TURNING THE ROO

‘The signing pulls it all together for Everton. There is no way he would go back to Goodison if he didn’t think they were going to win trophies’

PHIL NEVILLE remembers how the pressure of trying to lead Everton to a first trophy since 1995 hung around his neck like a noose.

But in returning hero Wayne Rooney, the former Blues skipper reckons they have the ideal man to shoulder that burden.

Dave Watson was the last Everton captain to lift a trophy (below) – 22 years ago after they beat Manchester United at Wembley to win the FA Cup.

The challenge of ending the Merseysiders’ long wait for silverware is unlikely to be a daunting one for Rooney, who returned to Goodison this month after winning 16 honours in 13 trophy-laden years at Manchester United.

Rooney’s signing might be a little out of keeping with the rest of boss Ronald Koeman’s summer business so far and the more youthful squad he is building at Goodison Park.

While Rooney is 31, Koeman’s five other signings are all no older than 24.

But Neville said: “The signing of Rooney gels it all together for Everton. There is no way Wayne Rooney would go back to Everton if he didn’t think they were going to win things, that is for sure.

“He is a winner and will bring that winning mentality to the changing room.

“What he will discover – and I experienced it at Everton – is that there is a bit of fear of what it takes to win a trophy.

“Everton haven’t won a trophy since 1995 and it was always a noose around my neck when I was captain.

“It was something I felt really pressured into doing because you are always compared to captains of previous great teams.

“But I think Rooney has big enough shoulders to handle that pressure and inject experience into the dressing room.”

Koeman has made a real statement of intent in the transfer market this summer.

As well as re-signing Rooney, he has splashed out more than £80million on goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, defender Michael Keane, midfielder Davy Klaasen plus forwards Sandro Ramirez and Henry Onyekuru (who will spend the forthcoming season on loan at Anderlecht), with more arrivals certain to come.

The new faces have helped cushion the blow of Romelu Lukaku’s £75m departure to Manchester United.

Former Manchester United star Neville, speaking at the inaugural Star Sixes tournament at London’s O2, said: “If the transfer window closed today, Everton would have done the best business.

“They have been very proactive, they have not waited for Lukaku to leave, they have said ‘let’s get our players in first and take some of the pressure off.’

“I remember when I was at Everton under David Moyes. We sold Joleon Lescott and Mikel Arteta and when you sell those players it puts added pressure on and fans get a little angry.

“I was concerned before they signed anyone as Tottenham bought in five or six players when they sold Gareth Bale and it didn’t quite work.

“But Everton have actually signed four or five players, the fans are happy, it softens the blow of Lukaku leaving.”

Koeman hopes his bigmoney spree will help Everton take a huge leap forward and crack the top six after finishing eight points off it last season.

And Neville reckons Tottenham, runners-up last term, have shown Everton how they can upset the order at the top of the table.

He said: ““The way they have spent their money and the young players they have coming through, they have to look at Tottenham.

“Four or five years ago Tottenham and Everton were on similar levels.

“Tottenham kicked on and Everton didn’t but now I think they are well capable of doing a Tottenham – producing a young team with a brilliant manager in Ronald Koeman.

“Everton have bought quality and what is more exciting is the young players breaking through – couple that with Wayne Rooney and it should be good.”