Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
RED ROO MAKES A MARK
WAYNE ROONEY has found himself on a steep learning curve in the world of management at crisis-ravaged Derby County.
And he was also given a harsh early lesson in his playing days in a feisty festive 2002 game with Birmingham City.
Rooney had burst on to the Premiership scene that season as a 16-year-old Everton sensation.
The forward confirmed his emergence when he came off the bench to score his first-ever league goal with an outstanding last-gasp winner at Goodison Park, ending champions Arsenal’s 30-match unbeaten run in the top flight.
That was five days before his 17th birthday, but just over two months later, Rooney was sent off for the first time in his senior career in a 1-1 Boxing Day draw at St Andrew’s.
Birmingham centre-back Steve Vickers was the victim when second-half substitute Rooney made more of an impression than intended.
Vickers needed hospital treatment for a foot wound “the depth of a stud’’ after what was condemned at the time as a horror tackle.
Rooney was shown a red card by referee David Elleray (right) nine minutes from time. But former Middlesbrough defender Vickers bore no grudge, insisting it was reckless rather than malicious.
He said: “I think that he was making a genuine attempt to get the ball.
“I got to it before him, but his momentum took him through.
“But when you jump into a tackle, you open yourself up to different interpretations.
“Maybe he was a bit reckless – that was obviously what the referee thought. I got a puncture wound the depth of a stud.’’
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce was blunt. He said: “All I know is that Vickers is the ultimate professional and he’s got eight stitches in his ankle.’’
But Everton counterpart David Moyes was protective of the rookie Rooney, saying: “I thought, at most, it should have been a yellow card.’’
Tomasz Radzinski handed Everton the lead close to half-time before Jovan Kirovski’s rapid reply – but it was all about Rooney’s dismissal.