It has been three years since Rooney was infamously sent off for his sardonic ovation of referee Kim Milton Nielsen during a European tie against Villarreal.
The incident remains among the most vivid reminders of the United forward's self-destructive temper, which many believe has impeded his immensely promising career.
“It was a reality check for me, it was a ridiculous thing to do,” Rooney said in The Times. “When I was in the dressing-room when I got sent off, I was just thinking, ‘Why have I just done that?’”
But Rooney believes he has grown since then, and for the most part it is hard to argue with him.
The Liverpudlian will never drop his tenacious and ultra-competitive attitude, but he has certainly added an element of patience to his innate selflessness. The praise he has received from his England team-mate's after a magnificent display against Croatia last week says as much.
“I have learnt from (the Villarreal incident). I made sure I did. It was a turning point or a wake-up call, call it what you like,” said the former Everton striker.
The Yellow Submarine will visit Old Trafford on Wednesday night with the aim of upsetting the reigning champions of Europe both on the scoreboard and in the heat of battle.
But Rooney is determined not to get sucked in by any antics his opponents might resort to, insisting he has well and truly learnt his lesson.
He added: “You don’t want to do that again when it’s an important match and be sat in the dressing-room while the lads are playing, wondering what you could be doing for the team if you were still out there.”
source: Kieran Quentin
The incident remains among the most vivid reminders of the United forward's self-destructive temper, which many believe has impeded his immensely promising career.
“It was a reality check for me, it was a ridiculous thing to do,” Rooney said in The Times. “When I was in the dressing-room when I got sent off, I was just thinking, ‘Why have I just done that?’”
But Rooney believes he has grown since then, and for the most part it is hard to argue with him.
The Liverpudlian will never drop his tenacious and ultra-competitive attitude, but he has certainly added an element of patience to his innate selflessness. The praise he has received from his England team-mate's after a magnificent display against Croatia last week says as much.
“I have learnt from (the Villarreal incident). I made sure I did. It was a turning point or a wake-up call, call it what you like,” said the former Everton striker.
The Yellow Submarine will visit Old Trafford on Wednesday night with the aim of upsetting the reigning champions of Europe both on the scoreboard and in the heat of battle.
But Rooney is determined not to get sucked in by any antics his opponents might resort to, insisting he has well and truly learnt his lesson.
He added: “You don’t want to do that again when it’s an important match and be sat in the dressing-room while the lads are playing, wondering what you could be doing for the team if you were still out there.”
source: Kieran Quentin
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