Rooney: “Sunday Is A Big Game For Us”

Wayne Rooney says the visit of Blackburn Rovers to Pride Park Stadium on Sunday afternoon is another ‘big game’ for Derby County as they return to Sky Bet Championship action.

Derby were 3-1 winners at Sheffield Wednesday in their last league outing last Saturday as they recorded their third away win of the campaign.

A ruthless first-half display saw the Rams storm into a three-goal lead at Hillsborough, thanks to a double from Tom Lawrence and a composed finish from Jason Knight.

After exiting the Emirates FA Cup with a 3-0 defeat at home to Rooney’s former club Manchester United on Thursday night, before a sold-out Pride Park, Derby now have ten games remaining this season.

Phillip Cocu’s side occupy a mid-table spot in the table and were eight points off the play-off places going into the weekend’s round of fixtures.

Derby have won back-to-back league games just twice this season and Rooney has stressed the importance of kicking on from that impressive showing in South Yorkshire last weekend.

Rooney, 34, is well aware that they face a tough test against Tony Mowbray’s side on Sunday on home turf (3pm kick-off).

Speaking to dcfc.co.uk, Rooney said: “It’s very important that we back up what we did at Sheffield Wednesday and Sunday is a big game for us against Blackburn.

“The results went well for us in the league as well when we won at Hillsborough so it’s another important match to try and edge closer to the play-offs. We have to move on from the Manchester United game on Thursday night and be ready because it’s important to back up a victory away from home at Pride Park.”

He added: “Back-to-back wins would be great and is what we are striving for. With ten games left we just have to take each one as it comes and keep pushing forward.

“When it comes to the final few games, let’s see where we are. However, we can’t look beyond Sunday for now.”

Looking back on the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, Rooney admitted the Rams just came up short against the Premier League giants.

United were two goals to the good by half-time following strikes from Luke Shaw and Odion Ighalo after the half-hour mark, while Ighalo notched his second of the night to round off the scoring with 20 minutes to go.

Derby had chances in both halves and Rooney himself was twice denied by Sergio Romero in the visiting goal, with the Argentinian international goalkeeper pulling off two fine stops.

Despite the loss against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, Rooney felt the performance of Derby’s youngsters offered plenty of optimism.

Academy graduates Jayden Bogle, Max Lowe, Jason Knight, Max Bird and Louie Sibley were all named in the starting line-up, while Morgan Whittaker also came off the bench in the game.

Derby’s captain is convinced that the Rams’ young guns will only benefit from the experience in the long-run.

He said: “Manchester United are a good team and we went into the game to try and get the win. We had some chances but just didn’t take them. I don’t think we let anyone down, we gave everything and just came up short.

“They were the better team on the night and deserved to go through, but I have to say that it was a great experience for our young players.

“They had some great moments and this game, despite us losing it, will do them the world of good and be massive in their careers. They are wanting to learn all the time, take instructions in and they want to play football. I don’t think any of them disappointed in their performances.”

He added: “We’ve got some great talent in the football club and not just those that played on Thursday but in the younger age groups as well.”

Rooney, who officially joined Derby from Major League Soccer side D.C. United at the beginning of January, has made 15 appearances in all competitions since his return to English football with the Rams.