Roo hopes ex-skipper receives a ‘good welcome’ at Pride Park
BUT THEN WANTS TO MAKE SURE SEASIDER IS ON THE LOSING SIDE
WAYNE Rooney hopes former Derby County skipper Richard Keogh receives a good welcome on his return to Pride Park Stadium tomorrow.
But Rooney also hopes his Derby team can make it an uncomfortable game for the defender and his Blackpool team-mates on the pitch.
The Rams face the Seasiders in a Championship clash and Keogh is set to play in front of Derby fans for the first time since his departure from the club more than two years ago.
Keogh left the Rams after he suffered a serious knee injury in a car crash which resulted in team-mates Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett being convicted of drink-driving in 2019.
Lawrence and Bennett were both banned from driving for two years and sentenced to a 12-month community order, requiring them to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work. The pair were also fined six weeks’ wages by Derby.
Keogh was sacked for “gross misconduct” but later won an appeal against the club’s decision to dismiss him.
He made 356 appearances during his seven years with the Rams and was twice named player of the year.
The 35-year-old has had three clubs since leaving Derby and recovering from ligament damage to his knee. He is now at Blackpool after stints with Huddersfield Town and Milton Keynes Dons.
He returned to Pride Park with Huddersfield in February but fans were absent because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Asked what kind of reaction he expects Keogh to receive, Rooney said: “I don’t know and I can’t obviously speak about Richard’s relationship with the Derby fans.
“I know he was at the club for a long time, captained the club and personally I hope he gets a good welcome because has been a good servant to this football club throughout the years.
“But once the whistle blows my team will be doing everything they can to upset him and make him have an uncomfortable day.”
Blackpool won promotion last season and sit 15th in the Championship on 27 points from seven wins and six draws.
“They are a good team, they are a difficult team to play against - 4-4-2, very stubborn, they know how to defend but can create chances and cause you problems,” Rooney said.
“We are expecting a tough game and we will be doing everything we can to try and get three points.”