THE DOC, DOGLEASH & ROONEY

Last updated : 04 October 2004 By editor

The last player I saw make a debut as dramatic as Wayne Rooney's was Kenny Dalglish. I picked him as an 18-year-old when I was Scotland manager and he netted a hat-trick, just like Rooney on Tuesday night.

Some teenagers can't cope with the pressure, but as a manager, you know when you see something special - and I knew Kenny had what it takes to be great. And you can tell Rooney has those same qualities.

He reminds me of John Charles with his speed and his strength. Wayne has everything needed to become one of the sport's great players and his only weakness could be himself. Wayne is at the right club to help him. All he has to do is look around the United dressing room at people like Paul Scholes and the Nevilles. They are good, solid pros and have been all their careers, and he should use them as a guide to how to be a model professional. United have been poor so far this season, but with Rio Ferdinand and Ruud van Nistelrooy back and Rooney in the line-up, they look a different team.

Either the opening game of the season just didn't happen or the Doc's sub-editor at the Evening News has been on the Cloughie juice:

'Although they are quite a bit adrift of Arsenal and Chelsea, the Reds still have to play them both twice and four wins would put them right back into contention.'