WAYNE Rooney’s fanfare upset QPR so much they used it to end their own poor run.
The build up to the game was all about Rooney, 34, making his debut as a coach.
There was a loudspeaker announcement listing Rooney’s five Premier League trophies, record number of goals for England and on he came to applause before kick-off.
He gave a wave, looking embarrassed by all the fuss, almost got to the centre circle, turned, put his cold hands back in his pockets and took his place on the Derby bench.
Rooney, who will make his debut as a player next month, wasn’t seen again, but QPR boss Mark Warburton said: “We used some of the press comments that we were cannon fodder today.”
It was Rooney Day and it fired up Rangers.
“We said it to the players, they are professional and they get angered by certain comments.
“I read one statement which was about basically ‘we couldn’t have a better game than today’.”
Well wrapped up on a freezing day, Rooney sat on the bench and endured this draw.
This story is from the December 01, 2019 edition of The Football League Paper.
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This story is from the December 01, 2019 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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