‘I’ve got Roo in ratings battle’

DAVID MARSHALL has revealed Scotland’s Euro Championship heroics had Wayne Rooney channel hopping as the dark blues won the ratings war against England.

The Derby County keeper, 36, is now working under the Rams boss and Three Lions legend who tuned into that never-tobe-forgotten penalty shoot-out triumph which sealed a spot at this summer’s finals and gave Marshall icon status.

Next on the agenda will be a 42nd appearance for his country against Israel in a Group F World Cup qualifier tonight but Marshall also has a clash at the Euros against the Auld Enemy at Wembley on June 18 and he insists Rooney won’t need the remote control for the only show in town this summer.

He said: “Wayne’s not mentioned the England game but he did say that the Serbia game was the only time he had ever switched over and watched

Scotland before England. I am sure that will come. We have some work to do at Derby to finish our season and then I’m sure there will be banter, a few texts.”

The ex-Celtic stopper (above after his penalty save) only has praise for Rooney’s approach to his first taste of management as he cuts his teeth in the Championship after he ceased playing in January.

He said: “It’s Wayne’s first role and he’s growing into it. He’s been great with young players and given them chances, the academy at Derby is really good but as a player he was a winner and really aggressive and that’s the way he likes his teams.

“We’re very much on the front foot and worry about ourselves rather than the opposition.

“He’s been great as it’s been difficult for him. We’ve been going through a transition with the ownership stuff which broke down in January and with Philip Cocu leaving as manager mid-season when Wayne was still playing.

“I think everybody should be fit when we go back and we can get back to the form he had us in initially.”