Rooney makes Rams debut as players wait for their wages
Wayne Rooney made a winning debut for Derby County last night – the former England captain had a hand in both goals in a 2-1 victory over Barnsley at Pride Park – but the occasion was clouded by reports that the Championship club’s players have not been paid their latest wages
Derby had been expecting a new investment deal to be completed before the end of December and that has not been signed off, causing a delay in the salary payments, which were due in the players’ bank accounts on 31 December. An English newspaper reported that playing staff had been told of the delay, while the club responded by insisting it is “not a major issue”.
A Derby spokesman said before last night’s fixture with Barnsley that all their players would be paid before the day was out.
There was better news on the pitch, with all eyes on Rooney as the Rams picked up three crucial points.
He was named as captain for his first appearance since agreeing to join the Championship club as a January signing on an 18-month deal back in August.
Manchester United and England’s record goalscorer had been training, coaching and sitting in the dugout at matches for several weeks, but last night was the first time he had been eligible to play following his departure from Major League Soccer side DC United.
The 34-year-old, included at the expense of the suspended Krystian Bielik in the only change made by Derby boss Phillip Cocu, played the full match, despite it being his first competitive game since October.
He set up the opening goal for Jack Marriott and was involved in Derby’s second goal, providing a pin-point diagonal pass, either side of Elliot Simoes scoring an equaliser for Barnsley.
Rooney’s debut coincided with Cocu’s team winning back-to-back matches for the first time this season – they beat Charlton on Monday – but they remain 17th in the table.