Ollie has Scott his time to shine
OLLIE RATHBONE expects a call from his good mate Scott McTominay if Rotherham can topple Sutton in today’s Papa John’s Trophy final at Wembley.
The Millers ace, 25, is good mates with his fellow midfielder having graduated together through Manchester United’s legendary youth system.
And while McTominay’s Old Trafford career might have sky-rocketed, hard-working Rathbone has had to be patient for his own big chance.
“Scotty has been one of my best mates since I was 11,” said Rathbone.
“I used to drive to training with him for United’s reserves.
“He’s a wonderful lad. He’s worked incredibly hard to get where he is.
“We keep in touch and if I ever watch him on the TV I’ll drop him a text if he has a great game.
“And similarly if he switches on the box and sees me playing for Rotherham he’ll give me a call for a chat. There’s a lot of mutual respect.
“I came through with him and Marcus Rashford at the club. That’s probably been the most successful group of players from the Academy for a while.”
Rathbone left Old Trafford in search of regular football and enjoyed five seasons with Rochdale, making nearly 200 appearances before the Millers snapped him up last August.
He now has the chance of a first trophy – and the potential of a memorable double if the Millers can get promoted back to the Championship.
“It’s what dreams are made of, I’ve never played at Wembley before,” he added.
“Lots of players go their whole careers without getting there so the staff have said to just go out and enjoy it.”
EFL Trophy Final: Rotherham v Sutton Utd, Today, 3pm, Sky Sports