Rooney's tips and tricks are of benefit to Gibson

STRIKER’S CLEVER NOUS A HUGE HELP TO PILGRIMS’ CENTRE HALF

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

PLYMOUTH Argyle defender Lewis Gibson has revealed how his game is benefitting from getting ‘the tips and tricks’ of strikers from head coach Wayne Rooney.

There have been few better forwards in world football than Rooney and he is putting his knowledge to good use by helping out Gibson when it comes to how he plays as a centre-back. The 24-year-old had an excellent first season with Argyle in 2023/24 and has continued to be extremely reliable this term, with Rooney handing him the captain’s armband a couple of times when Joe Edwards has not been in the team.

Gibson said: “People will say he (Rooney) is a striker and this and that, but I come up against a striker every single week. He was one of the best in the world so you get all the tips and tricks of where they are trying to get you, where they are trying to drag you out in a certain position, or if the ball is coming in the box where you are at your most vulnerable. I’m taking in little nuggets that he can help us with to improve my game.”

He added: “I’m just taking the little bits of detail that he’s maybe giving to the strikers. I have probably got my ear on the wall trying to have a listen to see what he’s saying to them!”

Gibson stressed that while he was happy with his performances this season he always felt he could give more. He said: “I have been captain a couple of times and I see myself as a leader, and I want to improve on that to help the team, to help myself.

“Improvement-wise, I have just tried to probably polish off the fine edges to make more of a complete player. I think I’m competing better physically this year. I’m nowhere near the finished article so there is plenty more to come.”