Another big test for Dale hero Matheson!
LUKE Matheson netted a famous goal for Rochdale at Old Trafford – but playing against United was not enough to get him out of a psychology test.
Rather than head to Trinity C of E High School in Hulme on Wednesday, the talented right-back was given permission to head two-anda-half miles up the road to play at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup third round.
Matheson, who is studying for A Levels in psychology, history and sociology, was thrown in from the start and flourished under the floodlights, capping a confident performance by firing home a memorable leveller as Rochdale held United to a 1-1 draw.
Dale eventually bowed out 5-3 on penalties, but the teenager was in dreamland after a night to cherish, although he returned to school with a bump yesterday with a psychology test!
“It’s a special, special moment,” Matheson said with a beaming smile. “A dream come true for anyone.
“I am sure everybody dreams of scoring at a stadium like Old Trafford, a historic place.
“I struck it and it hit the roof of the net and my body just took over. I sprinted to the Dale fans and did a knee slide. I thought I was going to go down the hill.
“That is a special, special moment for me everyone.
“I go in to school once a week and try to go in more if possible, depending on training. It is what I have done for 10 years of my life. It is no different. I just play football a bit more now. “Education is something I am very fond of. I love it. “Rochdale and the school have been so supportive of me. I love learning. It is what I want to do. Football is not a guarantee. “You never know what will happen. You could be the best player in the world, but anything is possible. I want to have that back-up plan just in case.”
Matheson, who grew up in Manchester but is a Norwich Luke Matheson and supporter like his dad, certainly looks like he has the potential to reach the top based on his showing at Old Trafford.
United and Liverpool are already reported to be interested in the 16-year-old, but Rochdale – and completing his education – is his focus right now.
“You always want to play in front of the fans for the team you play for – whether that’s in front of the Rochdale fans at the Crown Oil Arena or in front of United fans at Old Trafford,” he added.
“It doesn’t really make a difference to me personally as long as I am making them happy and putting on performances they want to see, that’s all I can really ask for.
“You know, I am only 16. You never know. Touch wood, hopefully I’ll have a long playing career.
“Who that’s (playing) for, I don’t know. I am looking forward to what the future holds.”
Matheson was performing outstandingly before his 76th minute volley past Sergio Romero and posed a threat to United’s left-sided duo Marcos Rojo and Tahith Chong in the first-half.
Despite the strength of opposition, the fearless teenager said he refused to worry about who he’s facing.
“I don’t think I worry,” he explained. “If you worry about your opponents then you’re not going to get anywhere, you need to make them worry about you.
“So if I can take [Rojo] back defensively, he’ll worry about going forward.
“My opponent’s my opponent, it doesn’t matter if I play an Under-16 game or United at Old Trafford, I just do the best I can and make them worry about me.” HE’S A ROCHDALE RECORD-BREAKER
ACADEMY product Matheson, born in October 2002 and with home-town club Rochdale since the age of nine, was handed his senior debut in September 2018 when Bury visited the Crown Oil Arena in the EFL Trophy. That appearance, off the bench early on, saw him make history as he became, aged 15 years 336 days, the club’s youngest ever player, and he was named man of the match.
YOUTH INTERNATIONAL
MATHESON, who grew up in Manchester but is a Norwich supporter like his dad, has also played international football - in February this year he made his England Under-17s debut, starting a 3-2 victory over France at the Pinatar Arena in Spain.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVER
LESS than 48 hours after his maiden league start at home against Sunderland, Matheson picked up what was an impressive set of GCSE results. He told Rochdale’s official website: “I got an A** in History, four A*s in Chemistry, Physics, Religious Education and Physical Education, 3 As in Biology, Maths and English Language, B in Spanish and C in English Literature.” Matheson says history is his favourite subject.
NOTABLE ALUMNI
ANOTHER footballer who attended Matheson’s school is Watford’s former Manchester United and Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck. Also among the notable alumni is Coronation Street actor Tina O’Brien.