Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney has recalled his experience of playing at Rangers’ Ibrox Stadium both as a Red Devils player and an Everton player.
Wayne Rooney made his name as a teenage sensation at Everton under David Moyes ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson bringing him to Old Trafford in 2004.
During his time under former Manchester United manager David Moyes, the 40-year-old legendary ex-Red Devils striker visited Ibrox Stadium first as an Everton player.
However, Rooney would revisit Rangers’ beloved venue again when he was playing under iconic ex-United head coach Sir Alex Ferguson at the Premier League club.
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Former England and Manchester United player Wayne Rooney reacts at half-time during the FA Cup fifth-round football match between Wrexham and Chelsea at the Racecourse Ground Stadium in Wrexham, Wales, in 2026.
Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images
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From Everton to Man Utd, Celtic-supporting Wayne Rooney experienced the atmosphere of Rangers’ Ibrox Stadium
Speaking on his podcast, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney said that he was “battered” when he visited the Ibrox Stadium in 2010 during his Red Devils spell.
When asked about the most hostile atmosphere he experienced, he said on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show: “Rangers away in 2010, I think it was.
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“I’d played there for Everton in a pre-season game and I’m a big Celtic fan. I went to Ibrox to watch the Old Firm, to watch Celtic there, sat in the Celtic end, so I think they were aware of that.
“So, when we went in 2010, they battered me. It was not long after I’d asked to leave Manchester United and then I’d signed. So, I was under pressure to perform for United again.”
Rooney sealed the win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men on the night after he converted a late second-half penalty in the Champions League Group C match against Rangers.
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Wayne Rooney on the reaction against him after his Man Utd penalty knocked Rangers out of the Champions League
Man Utd secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after England icon Rooney ensured the Red Devils’ 1-0 victory over Rangers at the Ibrox.
However, Rangers dropped into the Europa League in the 2010-11 season after the defeat and Rooney said that he received nothing short of a really “hostile” reception.
“We got a penalty, I’ve scored it and went off celebrating,” Rooney continued.
“It was a [really] hostile performance. I felt it against me; normally, you feel it against the team, but I felt it against me.
“Back then, it was when I was using Twitter quite a bit and I was getting hammered on Twitter, so I was expecting it.
“I think it’s well known and I’ve put out there that I’m a Celtic fan. It’s probably one of my regrets, not playing for Celtic at some point.”
Man Utd icon Rooney, who is widely regarded as one of the best Premier League strikers of all time, called it time on his legendary playing career in 2021.
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