‘Wayne’s the full package’
WAYNE ROONEY will be a major asset for Derby because they’re getting the “full package” of his experience.
That’s according to former Rams midfielder John Harkes, whose son
Ian played alongside England’s record goalscorer at DC United.
Former USA captain Harkes (below) kept a close eye on Rooney in his role as a TV pundit Stateside.
And he is now excited to see what dimensions the former Manchester United star will add to his old club after joining them on an 18-month deal.
Rooney, 34, made his debut for Phillip
Cocu’s side against Barnsley on Thursday and is set to star against Crystal Palace today.
Harkes said: “Observing him at DC United, it was two-fold really. One, he came in as a player who still wanted to win. You could see his competitive edge and he hasn’t lost any of that at all.
“It’s not just on a pitch, but on the training ground as well and, in that environment, he really raises the team.
“That’s because the other players see a leader, a player who has been there and done it, and is still continuing to push on and demand the most of himself.
“Ian really benefited from that because Wayne took him and some of the other young players under his wing without any question.
“He said, ‘Let’s do some finishing, let’s do some distribution from the midfield, let’s work on passing patterns’, and it was fantastic.
“So he has those qualities and that’s great.
He is still at a young age as well, to be fair. People will say, ‘Well, he has played football since he was 16 in the Premier League’.
“And I say, ‘Yeah, I understand that, but he has looked after himself now more recently and his fitness is still there’.
“So he brings a lot of qualities and then, secondly, he also brings a coaching aspect as well.”
Part of Rooney’s decision to join Derby was fuelled by his desire to move into coaching and management when he finally calls time on his playing career.
Harkes added: “He helped coach some of the players at DC United and provides good leadership in that way, too. So you’re getting the full package of Wayne Rooney at this point.
“When he was speaking to Ian and some of the other younger players, he was focused on technique and mastering the ball.
“When he strikes the ball, he doesn’t always look like he has a tremendous, big backswing, but it’s his technique and sharpness, and he tried to fine-tune some of the younger players that way.
“Ian evolved from there and he grew with confidence as well, and that has helped him at Dundee United because he’s looking forward with most of his passes and splitting the seams, and he’s penetrating, so he becomes more of a danger player on the attacking side of the pitch.
“He got a lot of info from Wayne on that side.
“Now, for Wayne, it’s about trying to find the balance between being a player and being a coach, and striking that balance on a daily basis.
“That takes a lot of maturity and a lot of discipline.”