Rooney excited by attacking riches

ATHLETIC have plenty of attacking options this season. Pictured are, from the left: Jonson Clarke-Harris, James Dayton, Sidney Schmeltz, Cristian Montano, Charlie MacDonald, Jose Baxter and Adam Rooney.

THE wealth of attack-minded talent at Athletic means new striker Adam Rooney simply can’t wait to be unleashed on opposition defences this season.

Dublin-born Rooney (25) joined Athletic yesterday on a two-year deal with a third-year option, after resolving his contractual dispute with Swindon.

The former Stoke, Birmingham and Inverness hit-man is relieved to have officially joined Lee Johnson’s charges after being with the club for most of the close season, and with players like James Dayton, Sidney Schmeltz, Jonson

Clarke-Harris, Jose Baxter and Charlie MacDonald set to strike terror into their opponents in Sky Bet League One, Rooney is clearly champing at the bit.

He said: “The gaffer has made some great signings already. There’s real pace in the side and all the lads look to have gelled well in pre-season.

“We all get on well and have a good understanding between one another. Obviously that will develop so an already-good squad ought to just get better and better. There’s no reason why we can’t be pushing towards the top of the league.”

Signing Rooney will be seen as a real coup for Athletic, but he clearly feels the club has great potential.

Rooney added: “There’s a lots of ambition here. Everyone is so positive. The gaffer, the chairman, everyone I’ve spoken to is determined to really push on this season.

“We all saw the great run in the FA Cup last season when everyone around the country was talking about it. We need to try to take that into the league this year.”