Wayne Rooney shows off his love for Celtic as legendary Man Utd striker realises lifelong dream

-Credit: (Image: UGC)
-Credit: (Image: UGC)


Wayne Rooney realised a lifelong ambition (kind of!) when he was handed a Celtic shirt with his name and number after the legends match at Old Trafford.

The Manchester United legend was the star attraction in Saturday's charity match and lived up to his top billing when he curled in a free-kick to open the scoring. A team of Celtic greats from years gone by came roaring back though - after Stiliyan Petrov hit the bar, Gary Hooper followed up to equalise on the rebound. And the resulting penalty shootout went the Hoops' way, as a flawless five spot-kicks saw Darren O'Dea net the winner from 12 yards.

Rooney hit the back of the net twice during the game, his stunning first-half free-kick and his successful penalty in the shootout. And after the game, he was beaming when Celtic TV handed him a Hoops kit with 'Rooney 10' on the back. That came after he spoke before the game, reasserting his longstanding ambition that didn't come true - to one day play for Celtic.

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Rooney said: "They're always special games. All the Celtic fans come here to Old Trafford in their numbers. To go there and experience the atmosphere and the Champions League nights, they were special. We lost there as well! But it was special.

"Celtic's always a team I've followed and wanted to win. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to play for them, I would have liked to but it didn't work out. I always look out for them and want them to do well, it's special to play against them."

The Red Devils legend, their all-time top scorer, rolled back the years as he teamed up with former teammates like Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes to take on the Hoops. Among the distinguished United greats was Dimitar Berbatov, who went close to doubling their lead at one point with a signature audacious chip off the bar.

Speaking to Celtic TV before the game, Berbatov - who played against Celtic alongside Rooney twice in the 2008 Champions League, scoring and assisting at Old Trafford - said: “I had good games against Celtic. I scored a couple of goals. Ask any player about their impression of playing at Celtic – I mean the atmosphere, the fans, I mean it’s crazy, man. It’s unbelievable. You get goosebumps everywhere.

“It’s great because this is what you want from your fans. To support you from good times to bad times, to be there for you. The Celtic fans, probably if you ask anyone, if you see a Celtic game the fans are there for them. It’s great.”