Former Rangers forward Martyn Waghorn starred alongside Wayne Rooney on Thursday evening as the ex-England captain made his debut for Derby County.
Two months after his final outing for MLS side, DC United, 34-year-old Rooney made a successful return to competitive English football in a Championship fixture against Barnsley.
Manchester United’s all-time top goalscorer started in central midfield, joining former Gers man Martyn Waghorn in the starting XI at Pride Park.
It’s been a challenging season for the Rams on the pitch, but they managed to secure a win to lift them to 17th in the Championship table [BBC Sport].
Rooney played a big hand in the opener, with his teasing inswinging set-piece picking out Jack Marriot, who steered home a finish from close range on the stroke of half-time.
Barnsley then rallied after the break and got back on level terms after Elliot Simoes capitalised on a goalkeeping error from Ben Hamer.
However, Waghorn would have the final say. On 57 minutes, Rooney spread the ball wide to Andre Wisdom, who took on the opposition full-back and drilled a cutback into the box, which the popular former Ibrox man swept clinically into the bottom left corner.
It was the forward’s eighth Championship goal of the season and second in his last three outings following a last-minute equaliser away at Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day.
It’ll be an incredible experience for Waghorn to play alongside such a decorated footballer, and he’ll be hoping it brings the best out of him over the rest of 2020.
