There’s not much that Wayne Rooney hasn’t achieved in football but his former Everton team-mate Alan Stubbs does have one line on his cv that makes the Manchester United hero jealous.
For five years Stubbs played in the derby match that eclipses even a Manchester United-Manchester City FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
In the middle of a World Series of derby matches Rooney looks on enviously knowing that his big pal from Goodison Park has experienced the special intensity that only Celtic and Rangers create.
Stubbs most famous derby moment came in November 1997 when a last minute equaliser denied Rangers three points at Celtic Park with Wim Janesen’s team clinching the title on the final day of the season to stop ten-in-a-row.
More than a decade later the match remains as tense as ever with Stubbs a big fan of the clash that has every do-gooders crying foul over.
The Everton coach said: “Everybody I’ve taken to an Old Firm game – whether it be friends, family or players – have been totally taken aback by it.
“They’d never come across anything like it in their life. The intensity, the atmosphere, the whole shebang that comes with it.
“I actually brought Wayne Rooney up to his first Old Firm match.
“I think if you asked him now about it he would still say it was one of his best experiences ever.
“Obviously, he has done other small things in his career that have been pretty eventful, but that is something he’ll never forget.
“You may come across other memorable experiences in football but it will take something extra special to beat an Old Firm game.”
Stubbs derby days were certainly eventful after completing a £2.5m deal from Bolton in 1996.
Under Tommy Burns, Wim Jansen, Jo Venglos, John Barnes and Martin O’Neill he experienced every possible derby scenario ranging from 5-1 wins to 5-1 defeats and the glory of O’Neill’s treble season.
As politicians and other publicity seekers throw their opinions about like confetti Stubbs appreciates the intensity and dangers of the fixture as someone who has been at the sharp end.
“You are caught between a rock and a hard place,” he added. “You have one game that is quiet and called boring and then one that is feisty and everyone says it is over the top.
“I much preferred it when there was a lot going on as I was a passionate player.
“I don’t think any of us want to see boring football and teams nullifying each other. We are there for entertainment as that’s what football and the Old Firm is all about – it is a combination of religion and passion and that’s what makes it special.
“You can’t lose sight of what has made them famous, although it did get out of hand the last time.
“I watched highlights of the last Old Firm game and obviously there were a few talking points – with people saying what happened overstepped the mark.
“However you have got to be careful you don’t drive all the intensity out of these matches.”
Winning debut for Bishop Crosas
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Rooney’s no gettin’ a gemme for us…end of….
‘Mon Mikey. No even a wee 5 minutes off the bench?