Man Utd icon Wayne Rooney reveals big football regret after being 'battered' with abuse

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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has revealed that failing to play for Celtic ranks among his biggest football regrets.

Rooney, 40, enjoyed an illustrious career which featured 13 trophy-laden years at United where he racked up 559 appearances and netted 253 goals. During that period, the former England international became the club's all-time top scorer and secured 12 major honours, including five Premier League titles and one Champions League triumph.

However, Rooney, who also turned out for Everton on two occasions and DC United before finishing his playing days at Derby County, has expressed his wish that he could have spent time north of the border at boyhood club Celtic.

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When questioned on The Wayne Rooney Show about the finest atmosphere he has experienced, he responded: "Best atmosphere, I'd have to say Celtic Park. To play at Celtic in 2006, we actually lost the game 1-0, but to play there and feel that atmosphere was incredible."

Regarding the most hostile environment he encountered, Rooney stated: "Rangers away in 2010, I think it was. 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.

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"We got a penalty, I've scored it and went off celebrating. It was a real 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."

Rooney, who was an Everton fan growing up, has always had a soft spot for Celtic, stating: "Just growing up as a kid, I've always liked Celtic.

"When I was growing up there was Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton up top, John Hartson when he was there. Some of the players Celtic have had and moments they've given us, incredible. During the best part of my career, I always thought I'd love to play for Celtic at the end of my career. Obviously it wasn't to be."

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