Rooney standing tall amid the chaos

WAYNE ROONEY was patronised for much of his career as a footballer, scorned for pretty much everything that anybody could throw at him: upbringing, lifestyle, intellect, he got both barrels.

So as adversity besets him in his first managerial role at Derby County, it may have been a surprise to some to see Rooney standing tall and strong amid the chaos.

Derby have been deducted 21 points this season, which most assumed would condemn them to relegation. Most also assumed that Rooney would walk away. He didn’t. He stayed and he fought and he has held what remains of the club together. He has led with dignity and authority.

Ahead of tomorrow’s visit to Reading, Derby have won their last three games and, even if it is too much to ask to save his club from the drop, what he has achieved already demands that people start to look at Rooney in a different light.