Rooney takes lots of positives from pre-season tour

WAYNE Rooney has praised the attitude to training of the Plymouth Argyle players during the pre-season training camp on Spain's Costa del Sol.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

Rooney was also pleased with a lot of things he saw from his squad during their 2-2 draw with top South African side Orlando Pirates on a sweltering hot Friday night in Marbella, especially as they grew into the game in the second half.

The Pilgrims twice came from behind, with their goals coming from 17-year-old Freddie Issaka and Callum Wright, while all four of the club's summer signings Nathanael Ogbeta, Dark Gyabi, Muhamed Tijani and Ibrahim Cissoko - got game time.

Argyle arrived in Marbella last Sunday and it has been an excellent opportunity for new head coach Rooney to start getting to know them, and vice versa. He said: "It has been really good. The lads have been great. Attitude to training has been first class and we have got a lot of work into them.

"It's never easy in pre-season. You are working the lads physically but mentally as well because there is a lot of information for the players to take in. I have been delighted with the work we have put into the players this week. When we get into the games back home we can start working on what we want from them tactically."